Essay Guideline

Sometimes you can face a real dilemma regarding what to put on or leave off a resume. Essentially, a resume is simply a marketing tool that features the highlights of your qualifications; not every job must be listed as that is what the job application is for.

Still, there is so much misunderstanding regarding resumes. I have seen people list every job held, classes taken, achievements, etc. Some of these experiences are far from their intended career aspirations, but I generally don’t have a problem with most of them as it can show that you are a well rounded person.

However, listing a job you held for a month or two can raise a red flag. If you list a short term job, be prepared to honestly explain your short stint, but if you leave it out you may be asked why you have a gap on your resume. Personally, I would leave most jobs held for six months off of the resume but include this information on the job application if one is utilized.

What you decide to do is your call and if you visit the various career sites on the internet you’ll find a variety of opinions on the subject, some of which offer conflicting advice.

Copyright 2006 - For additional information regarding Matt Keegan, The Article Writer, please visit his blog for wit, quips, and freelance writing tips.

Share This

Comments(0)

Want to get hired faster than up to 97% of other job seekers?

Well, you can. By doing two simple things almost nobody else is doing:

1) write down a job search goal and

2) read it out loud 10 times a day.

Do this and you’ll find a job faster as a result. I promise.

Here’s how …

Depending on which self-help book you read or success guru you listen to, only about 3% to 10% of the population has written goals, with deadlines. To prove this, ask yourself — do you have written goals? Probably not. Now go ask 10 friends. Only about one will answer yes, if they’re honest.

The point is this: only a tiny percentage of people take the effort to decide exactly what they want in life and then write it down in the form of clear, specific goals.

This may explain why only a tiny percentage of people rise to the top in any profession. Why a tiny percentage are truly happy in their work. Why a tiny percentage sail from one rewarding job to the next, as if they were following a blueprint for success.

Well, that’s what written goals are — mini-blueprints for success.

Think about it. Would you hire an architect to build you a home who refused to draw a blueprint? You’d think he was nuts, of course, and show him the door.

And yet, I’ll wager that more than 90% of people look for work with no written goals — blueprints — of any kind. Is it any wonder so many folks meet with so much frustration and take so long to get hired?

OK. Let’s get you a job search goal and then burn it into your brain, so you will get focused, get motivated and get hired. Fast.

There are two steps to this goal-setting process.

Step 1) Decide on the job you want and write it down

Complete the following statement and write it on a 3×5 card:

“It’s June 30. I’m an outstanding JOB TITLE who adds value to the company lucky enough to have me. I’m making $XX,XXX in a stimulating environment, doing work I love, surrounded by co-workers I enjoy.”

Now, why is this important?

Writing a goal forces you to get clear on what you want. After all, you’d never write down a goal like this: “Um, well, I’d like a job that pays the bills, maybe working in an office or something.” Yet, that’s typical of the response I get from many people when I ask, “What job are you looking for?”

So, by writing down a specific employment goal with a due date (so your subconscious knows you’re serious), you’ll be ahead of the vast majority of other job seekers.

But that’s not enough …

Step 2) Reinforce your goal

Writing down a goal is great. But if you want breakthrough results, you have to reinforce it until it’s crystal clear in your mind’s eye, like the North Star.

To do this, read your goal out loud 10 times every morning. Then, put your 3×5 “goal card” in your pocket and refer to it during the day — at least three times, if you can.

Soon, your life will organize itself around finding your ideal job, as your subconscious goes to work. You’ll start to see employment leads where before there appeared none.

Example: someone you haven’t heard from in 10 years will call, and the conversation will lead to a job interview. Or your hair dresser will volunteer the name of a hiring manager who’s looking for someone like you. Or your next-door neighbor will bring back a hammer he borrowed last year … along with a job lead.

I’ve seen this sort of thing happen too many times to dismiss it as chance.

Try this two-step process for the next 30 days and see for yourself. The worst that can happen is you’ll have a very clear idea of the job you seek. At best, you’ll be working.

What have you got to lose?

Kevin Donlin is President of Guaranteed Resumes. Since 1996, he and his team have provided resumes, cover letters and online job-search assistance to clients in all 50 states and 23 countries. Kevin has been interviewed by USA Today, CBS MarketWatch, The Wall Street Journal’s National Business Employment Weekly, CBS Radio, and many others.

Share This

Comments(0)

Cover Letters must grab the reader’s interest so that they immediately want to learn more about the writer (you).

Your cover letter is generally the first document those potential employers will read. So your job is to make sure it introduces you effectively and positively.

The 5 Best ways to make sure your CV or resume does get thrown aside:

You don’t include a powerful cover letter

The same cover letter was photocopied or obviously used for another job

The cover letter doesn’t include all the information the employer specified

The cover letter contains spelling, grammar or typo errors

Your skills and qualifications don’t match the job description or person specification

You really want to avoid your CV always ending up in the bin don’t you, so when writing your cover letters, be sure to:

Customize the cover letter to the particular job you’re applying for

Emphasize exactly how you expect to contribute to the company or organization

Show interest and enthusiasm in the advertised job.

Tell them you know about what they do and why you are interested in joining them

Illustrate how your skills match the job description

Check carefully for spelling errors and typos

Address your letter by name to the person advertising (ring for the name if possible)

Your cover letter will get much better results if you show that:

You know what employers want

Your strengths have the edge over the competition

You tailor your cover letter to meet their specific employer’s needs

If you need more specific guidance on writing great cover letters or could use some examples to help you just visit my website at the address below.

With over 25 years running businesses; as a Career Coach and Consultant in many sectors; Peter Fisher is well placed to guide job seekers through the steps needed in order to achieve that all important new position.

He has personally coached thousands of individuals to career success.

His distillation of these years of experience with all the essential facts and actions you must complete in order to achieve your own success is outstanding. He is very clear that you shouldn’t be misled into thinking of “acing interviews” or “finessing” your way into a business; the most sustainable and fulfilling roles are gained through understanding your own specific needs and creating your strategy accordingly. For specific guidance on how you might produce your own compelling cover letters go to http://www.your-career-change.com/Cover-letters.html

Share This

Comments(0)