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Cover Letter, Career Advice and How To Write A Resume

Cover Letter, Career Advice and How To Write A Resume

New information regarding how and what to emphasize in your employment cover letter has been added to orglearn and new resume examples and information has also been added to the site. There is now additional career advice on management in the form of a series of short lessons/articles. The user interface has been further resourced with more tips on how to write a resume and useability has been expanded in that you can now join the resume form site and submit questions or make comments.

 

Ric-orglearn

Resume Tip Fifteen – Avoid Hirer’s “Peeves”

Can I suggest you read “Top 30 Executive Resume Pet Peeves of Hiring Decision-Makers” - by Katharine Hansen, Ph.D. before you use the free blank resume form at orglearn!

Some of the peeves are:

1. Resume has spelling errors, typos and grammatical flaws.

2. Resume is too long.

3. Resume is too wordy, contains too much information.

4. Resume is written in third-person.

5. Resume does not list phone number, only an e-mail address, or has inappropriate e-mail address.

6. Resume contains the personal pronoun “I.”

and more, well worth a read…

Link: http://www.quintcareers.com/executive_resume_pet-peeves.html

Remember you can go here for the free resume form

When times are tough your resume must be perfect! Ric

Dumb Interview Questions – Funny or Sad

Well the whole idea of writing a great resume is to get an interview. So when you do get one don’t mess it up!

On first read of this article I thought it was funny… then I realized it was a bit sad.

“You know enough to bring a list of questions to a job interview. When the interviewer asks you, “So, do you have any questions for me?” the last thing? You want to say is “No.” But that could be the best option if you’re at a loss for words, because some interview questions are better left unasked.
Here are 10 highly unsuitable interview questions that should never make an appearance, unless you don’t want the job:”… the rest is here

Free blank resume online resume form!

The free blank resume form is sponsored by orglearn

Is it… résumé, resumé or resume?

Update now, use the free blank resume (résumé or resumé) form, fill in the blank sections by editing/personalizing the sample statements. Spell it as you wish however you really need to do it.

…or you may wish to visit

Orglearn Management Tips Articles and Free Resume Templates Resume Examples Main Index

What managers need to do & the issues to consider in the soft skills area of your role. Articles on behaviour, motivation, selling skills, competence development, teamwork & leadership. Free resume template/form and examples, write your resume to see how you are progressing with the commercial realities of what you have to offer employers.

Resume Tip Fourteen – Have Someone Review Your Resume

Excerpt from a Questcareer article:

Ann Hackett
- “15 Tips for Writing Winning Resumes”

“14.Have someone else review your resume. Since you are so close to your situation, it can be difficult for you to hit all your high points and clearly convey all your accomplishments. Have someone review your job search objective, your resume, and listings of positions that interest you. Encourage them to ask questions. Their questions can help you to discover items you inadvertently left off your resume. Revise your resume to include these items. Their questions can also point to items on your resume that are confusing to the reader. Clarify your resume based on this input.”

Great article and worth a read: http://www.questcareer.com/tips.htm

Remember we are often blind to our own errors of judgment or how we are actually are ‘seen by others’, so a frank and honest review of what we have written my hurt… however it may help… a lot!

Blank Resume Form: you can fill in blank sections online to build an interview grabbing resume!

Resume Tip Thirteen – The Best Keywords

Many companies use digital databases to search for potential employees. This means that their HR department will conduct searches based on specific keywords. Therefore if your resume doesn’t have the keywords associated to the position description of the job you are applying for, you will be cut from their list of possible applicants even before the ‘real’ selection process begins.

So how do you ensure the correct keywords are in your resume? The best way is to survey advertisements for similar positions across a number of companies. If you currently hold a similar position you may also find a number of these words (usually nouns) in your own job description. This research will reveal a fairly standard set of keywords that relate to the position sought from an employer’s point of view.

Here are some extracts from real ads for salespeople from all over the world.

Ad 1

We are looking to enhance our team with a dynamic, results driven, business to business salesperson. Display advertising sales experience is crucial, along with a positive work ethic and motivation to succeed. This role would best suit someone who has developed strong new business development skills.

Ad 2

What We Look For: Self-starter with strong work ethic who can work independently. Warm interpersonal and with sound communication skills and a strong motivation to succeed!

Ad 3

Experienced Direct Salesperson required to generate new business in the mobile phone industry. To sell contracts business to business. Experience preferred in this industry but not essential. We are looking for a self motivated, hard working, hungry individual who wants the best in life.

Ad 4

The ideal candidate will have sales experience of some kind, and can demonstrate genuine enthusiasm for selling ads. A genuine enthusiasm for (and understanding of) our mission and content is absolutely necessary. The Ad Salesperson must have an excellent phone manner and strong communication skills, must be able to work on deadline, and must be able to handle multiple tasks in an organized manner. Computer literacy (Microsoft Word, Excel, File-maker Pro) is a must.

Give yourself the best chance to at least get onto an interview shortlist… search your keywords and phrases!

Once you have the words can try the free blank resume – fill in the blanks and build your resume using the interactive online resume form at www.orglearn.org 

Resume Tip Eleven – Cover Letter ‘Rules’ Part “A”

Your cover letter should be specifically written and targeted at the position you seek rather than just come across as your cover letter type ‘form letter’.

Effective cover letters explain the reasons for your interest in the specific organization and why you would like to work for them – a disguised compliment perhaps… and everyone likes a compliment.

Effective cover letters also identify your relevant competencies (skills and knowledge when applied to specific tasks) supported by relevant proof statements (based on past job roles, achievements and responsibilities).

If you have been referred to a company by a mutual contact (ensure your contact is in good standing and with your potential employer) and use their name in your letter. (e.g. Fred Jones recommended I contact you regarding the position of xyz)

Your letter must include an explanation of how/where you learned of the position you are applying for and you must ensure you have the correct title of the position and/or any relevant reference number if included in their advertisement.

more next time

Free blank resume form at www.orglearn.org

Resume Tip Ten – Don’t Boast or be Self-Centred

As you can see from the links listed on this blog I have a website with a free blank resume template. Many individuals send me their resume, I store it so, as recently happened, when they lose it I can on request send it back to the distressed resume writer. 

To digress for a moment. The thing about selling and buying is that many (all) of us will seek a third party opinion before buying anything. Just stand in the women’s department of a major store and see how many people ask the sales assistant, a friend or even a passer by “what do you think does this suit me” and you will see what I mean. Yes, men do it as well! 

So back to your resume: 

Here are a few statements from the last few I have received: 

I am hard working and fast learning – unsubstantiated claim and boastful

I do the best that I can – poor attempt at a boast verging on an excuse for past failings

I am able to troubleshoot and repair – hmm almost a boast

I am driven to pursue my ambitions and goals through relentless effort and experience [with] companies that will help me achieve my dreams – no one would want employ this person, he/she give the impression they are just in it for themselves

I [Mary1] have great customer service skills – same comment as the first example above

In a previous post I suggested you write without using personal pronouns as by doing this you give the impression of a to avoid a resume that is full of boasts and/or self centred statements.

Lets take the last one and fix it for Mary

Sales results testify to (2)  great customer skills… see it sounds more credible already. Add a proof statement and wow…

or (3) Excellent customer skills are reflected in the customer survey sheets received.

Or…

Positive staff appraisals comment as to (4) great customer skills.

You tell me, if you where culling sales rep resumes, which Mary would you choose to call in for an interview?

Oh no… while writing this I just received another one that started with… “I am a well qualified individual”… urrgh

Try the free blank resume – fill in the blank sections and build your resume using the online form at www.orglearn.org

Resume Tip Nine – Express What You Know and Who You Know

Obviously your resume needs to highlight the your breadth of knowledge (in relation to the job being advertised). Too much depth can become boring, you can give expanded information if requested at the interview stage. Just as importantly you need to show who you know. If you have reported to, or worked in project teams with senior executives such as a “vice president”, “director” or “department manager” list it in your resume. Having worked with to someone considered ‘important’ could help to convince the reader to determine that you are also ‘important’.

You can use the free blank resume at www.orglearn.org to begin the resume writing process.

Resume Tip Eight – Sell Your Benefits

As in selling anything the ‘buyer’ is looking for the benefits you bring. To make a benefit statement you need to write down a full “FAB” statement to make sure you are actually listing the benefit you are offering. The best way to do this is to start with a (F) feature which turns into an (A) advantage that finally delivers a (B) benefit.

Example: Your Feature may be say, “Fred holds a full XYZ (whatever it is where you live) drivers license which means he can (Advantage) operate all vehicles in your fleet / production facility (giving the Benifit of) removing the need for additional/temporary drivers for a wide range of operations.

Another example could be: Mary has two degrees (F) which gives her (B) a solid level of knowledge in both discipline X and discipline Y which will assist (now the Benefit) in the overall integration of the organization’s functions and reduce the possibility of interdepartmental tensions.

These types of “FAB statements” help convince the potential employer that you have the competencies that it takes to be both successful in the new position and in your ongoing career with the company. Of course the benefits must relate to the desired ‘attributes’ or ‘skills’ listed in the ad you are responding to.

Practice your resume writing using the free blank resume template at www.orglearn.org

Resume Tip Seven – Be Concise

Limit the more detailed information regarding your work history to what is pertinent to the job you are applying for – short is sweet.

The most important information (from the potential employer’s point of view) must come very early on in your resume. 

blank resume at www.orglearn.org

Resume Tip Five – Numbers and Statistics

Use statistics to quantify your responsibilities, job tasks and achievements. Examples: “managed a department of twelve people”, “was responsible for a sales budget of eight million dollars” or achieved production growth of 88%. Numbers will create vivid images in the reader’s mind that will be more likely stick.

Free information on blank resumes at orglearn and the resume form itself.

Resume Tip Four – Use the ‘Right’ Words

A well written ‘generic’ resume is a great start however when applying for a job interview you must use the appropriate words and statements. So how how do you find out which words will get the attention of your reader. This is easy… just use as many words and statements, in your introduction, from their ad as you can. Example if they say they are looking for a ‘hard working team player that enjoys a personal challenge’ you use “team player”, “hardworking” and “likes a personal challenge” in your statements about yourself.

Practice writing your resume at orglearn using the free blank resumes by using the free blank resume form

Ric orglearn