The Hunters – 5 Resume Killers to Avoid

Resumes are your first impression when applying for a job and first impressions mean everything. In order to land that interview, be careful with what you produce for your resume. Here are 5 common resume killers that are stalking you even now.

Generic wording: Your resume is your chance to speak and tell your possible future employer about your background and your capabilities before actually having the opportunity to meet with them. Therefore, it is very important that your words are clear and precise. Job descriptions and duties, objectives and hobbies should stand out, do not use generic wording, and use memorable words. Example of a bad objective: ‘My objective is to find a career and a company that I can grow with and excel in.’ the reason why this is bad because it says nothing about yourself and what you actually want. This objective statement is generic and boring. Think outside of the box and off the beaten path to evade this predator.

Job History: There are three things that can turn away an employer faster than you think: Lack of job experience, gaps between employment, and too much short term employment. If you have any of these things be prepared to explain, that is if the employer even considers your resume. These three no no’s are warning flags for employers. They will worry about your commitment to their company if they see lots of short term jobs. Avoid these three things before they spring their trap.

Misspellings, Grammar and Punctuation: It is very important that you review your resume several times. Once you have completed your resume, look it over and then pass it on to others to help you. Having an extra pair of eyes review your resume can help catch any errors. There are also very inexpensive resume services online where professionals can look over your resume and help you. (Editor’s note: There are also free resume workshops available through libraries, churches, community centers, and even some recruiting companies may do them from time to time. Attend as many as possible to receive feedback.) Clever tricks this jungle hunter uses can include words that are spelled correctly but are misused, typos in names, and inconsistencies in your style.

Contact Information: Believe it or not this is a very big problem in resume writing. Many people do two things, have inappropriate email addresses or forget to update their contact information with the correct phone number. To dodge this killer, first things first, we are in an age now where it is not necessary to put your address on your resume, (Editor’s note: an address may help you advertise that you are local to a certain area and tells recruiters to consider you for local positions.) a phone number and email address will work just fine. Secondly, make sure your email address is professional, [email protected] is not okay. If you have a common name and have trouble finding a handle that has not been used, try different variations of your name. Last, call the number you have printed on your resume, just to double check. You will kick yourself later if you found out you switched a number and missed a call from an employer.

Visually Unpleasing: You have the right idea when you want to stand out, but there is such a thing as doing too much and this hunter likes the super flashy. Avoid graphics, designs and colors. Keep it simple and professional. Also be careful with your line spacing and margins. Use bold and underline with dividing the sections of your resume up. You want it to be easy to read and not a burden to dive into. (Editor’s note: Also make sure your resume is not a pdf. These will show up as blank when parsed by several kinds of software that help companies gather resumes from popular job search sites.)

Now you know the things you should avoid during your resume writing. Don’t forget to have an extra pair of eyes review before you start sending it out and you should be safe. Resume write in groups to catch those hunters! Good luck in your job hunt!

This guest post is contributed by Kate Croston. Kate is a freelance writer and holds a bachelors degree in Journalism and Mass Communication. She writes guest posts for different sites and loves contributing  internet service related topics. Questions or comments can be sent to:  katecroston.croston09 @ gmail.com.

If you need help with your resume, grab a copy of TEN EASY STEPS TO A PERFECT RESUME from Amazon. It will really make the process a lot easier for you.

If you have a great idea for a jungle-themed post, let us know! Guest writers or requests are always welcome!

Tags: advice, first impressions, guest, Job Search, resume, resume workshop, resume writing, ten easy steps to a perfect resume, tips

The Penguin – Winter Socialite

For professionals seeking employment at any level, the holidays shouldn’t be the time when you put your job search on hold until next year. Waddle down to the local ice flow, put on your winter tux and socialize! Many people have the attitude “I’ll get started after the first of the year” with a resolution to work harder, but the holiday season is a great chance for you to slide in to job openings as those hibernating species create less competition.

Statistics provided by CareerBuilder.com show that job seekers slow down their search in December, but get back into gear in January creating almost 20% more unique searches with only a 5% increase in job posts than in December. Hiring authorities are scheduling interviews and making hiring plans for the New Year right now!

All dressed up and nowhere to go? How about a holiday party?

For those of you out of work, this should be an opportunity to expand your network. People who are currently working are there to blow off steam, relax, and socialize, so you don’t want to be too aggressive, but take advantage of this time to meet new people to tap into for referrals.

Before you go:

When you RSVP, call the host/hostess instead of emailing and ask who else might be attending and if he/she knows where they work. Remember: knowledge is power- look up the other guests on LinkedIn and connect prior to the party. You can say in your LinkedIn invite, “looking forward to seeing you at so-and-so’s party next week. I’d like to add you to my LinkedIn network.”

In social situations reaching out to attendees in advance may open a door for a conversation you wouldn’t have otherwise had by gaining familiarity prior to meeting them in person. Being able to strike up a conversation quickly will set you apart from the other guests.

As with any networking, knowing your unique value proposition before you leave the house in your finest business-casual duds is important. Practice in the mirror before you go. Smile and take mints and business contact cards with you as well as pen and paper to write contact info and names.

While you’re there:

Most professionals don’t carry business cards with them in social settings so be prepared to offer yours and make sure you take notes of who to follow up with after the party.

Have fun and fit in. Having a glass of water between wines will keep you hydrated and ensure you’re not consuming too much alcohol to make a good first impression. Remember- the first impression is a lasting one so make sure you appear professional even in a casual, relaxed holiday setting. Eat prior to the party so you aren’t sidling up to a potential employer with a full mouth.

People like to talk about themselves so be prepared with a list of questions you can ask that could lead into work related conversation.

“So, how do you know the so and so’s?” or “How did you meet the so and so’s?”

Many times people are at parties and don’t know the hosts. You can move into
“Oh, well, I know them from XYZ. So, what kind of work do you do?”

Follow up:

People are often more inclined to help during the holiday giving season so there is no reason to wait until after the holidays to reach out and follow up with someone. Remember, if you link with them on LinkedIn, you can see their email addresses so you don’t have to ask for it. Sending your resume with a thoughtful cover letter about why you are interested in their company and asking for referrals is appropriate. If you don’t have the email address, send them a hard copy of your resume and cover letter via USPS Priority Mail.

Also, make sure you send your host/hostess a thank you note by mail or email, whatever you prefer. You can mention your job search after thanking them for hosting such a great event and that you’d appreciate them forwarding your resume onto people as they see fit or to specific individuals you haven’t been able to reach personally.

Other places you can meet professionals during the holidays:

• Soup kitchen/homeless shelter Thanksgiving dinner service
• Canned food drives
• Coat drives
• Church events
• Toys for tots

Party hearty this holiday season and learn from the penguins, the coolest socialites around!

Tags: careerbuilder, competition, first impressions, hiring, holidays, Job Search, linkedin, network, party, professionalism, referrals, social, statistics, tips, value proposition, volunteer

The Fish – Swimming Through The Interview Questions

Interviewing Questions Series: 1-2 of 29

Answers to popular (and sometimes tricky) questions you might hear in your next interview. Suggestions and requests are welcome in the comments. If you are currently a job seeker, a great way to help you prepare for the interview is to prepare a brief answer to all of the questions here. Download all of the questions here: Interview Prep Guide.

“Tell me about yourself.”

This is a very common ice breaker. An interviewer that starts off with this question is trying to buy time and get focused. This is your time to shine and help them feel comfortable with you. Smile, and ask politely, “Where would you like me to start?” They might ask why you chose your college, or why you want to leave your current role. Move into your best 2 or 3 sentence summary going forwards or backwards from where they asked you to begin. Think TVGUIDE version…only give the basics so you can get more detailed in your next answers after they are ready to focus on YOU.

You SHOULD NOT launch into a 5 minute discussion about your entire life’s story. Keep it professional, focused and thank them for inviting you in should it be appropriate. Avoid personal topics like family, religion, personal beliefs, and hobbies. Also avoid topics that might be negative like why you want to leave your current job. It’s more important why you’re there and where you’re trying to go, not what you want to avoid and/or what you’re trying to escape. Keep the conversation moving forward, you are trying to swim up to the job offer, not let your self fall back with the current.

“What are you looking for in your next position?”

If you are interviewing for a specific job, make sure you talk about things that are obviously included in the position you are interviewing for and the company. Be honest, but don’t make it all about you, and don’t focus on only soft skills (i.e. reliability, personable, flexibility, etc.). Discuss measurable, content related work (i.e. software, how many people you have managed, money you have saved the company, projects you’ve worked on and the monetary outcome, etc.)

AVOID talking about things that have gone awry in the past or that may obviously not involve the type of job you are interviewing for. Boasting about skills that you probably don’t even need in the position won’t make you sound more qualified. Keep your conversation focused on the work, the opportunity at the company, and what you will do for them; not what they will do for you. You should never ask about benefits in the interview or demand them as part of your compensation before you have been offered the job. (such as fully paid health insurance or work from home flexibility, etc).

Tags: advice, avoid, Career Path, communication, expectations, first impressions, interviewing, Interviewing Skills, Job Search, success, ten steps to finding the perfect job, tips

The Nest – Your First Day At A New Job

Winter is still going strong in the early months of the year, but maybe the new year has brought some good news and you are about to start a new job!

When birds create the foundations for a new stage in their lives, they take a lot of time to prepare. You may not need one or two weeks to gather the materials, but don’t underestimate! Nests keep the bird’s most precious possession safe: their eggs. For the time the bird lays and incubates its eggs and raises its young, the nest has to be solid and strong. The foundation for a new job has to be equally strong and you want to be careful to make the best first impression at the start!  

Leave home early in order to be on time. Factor in an extra 15 minutes in case you run into a traffic jam.

Take proper identification with you to fill out your new employee paperwork (if you have not already done so). This could include your passport, a driver’s license, social security card, green card or other authorization required to legally work in the US. Know what your exemptions are for tax purposes, and take emergency contact phone numbers for your file. Many companies offer direct salary deposit, and you can expedite that process by bringing a voided check or deposit slip with you to attach to the appropriate forms. If you need help filling out your forms, ask! Correctly filling out your new hire forms the first time will save you time and trouble later.

Dress professionally and appropriately for the company you are working for. (When in doubt, dress UP…not down.) Make sure your shoes are shined, your clothes are neat and pressed and that you don’t over-accessorize.

Smile, introduce yourself and treat everyone with respect. Saying please and thank you are the easiest ways to make people comfortable quickly.

Make sure you have some cash in case you need it. Trying to find a bank or a cash machine in a new neighborhood may not be the easiest thing on your first day.

You will be presented with a lot of new information the first few days. It will take time for it all to sink in. Don’t be afraid to ask questions…and be sure to take good notes. If you are invited to meetings to observe or participate, be careful not to jump in too quickly, but don’t be afraid to share comments and ideas if you are asked to.

Change is always difficult no matter how much you prepare. Realize that feelings of nervousness are expected and very common no matter your career level. You will likely miss your old, familiar surroundings. Rest assured, in a few days time, your new environment will become more comfortable and familiar to you. You will settle into your new routine, develop new friendships at your new company and still have the good relationships you developed at your former one.

This is your chance to start from scratch and build your solid nest from experience and preparation. First impressions are not only important but lasting. Make sure you do everything you can to set the tone you want to carry through this important step in your career. Make a comfortable nest for yourself by properly preparing for the first day, and weeks and that strong foundation will help you settle into your new job.

For more job search tips, please visit http://www.carolynthompson.net/webinars.htm where you can find resources on interviewing, resume writing, and making a great first impression! Tips for your first day can also be found in the book Ten Steps to Finding the Perfect Job.

Carolyn Thompson

 and

Lindsay Sellner

Tags: change, confidence, first day, first impressions, Job Search, new hires, new job, preparation, prepare, tips

Bug Bites – First Impressions in the Jungle

I remember my first jungle visit very well.  I was reminded of my experience for weeks with the thousands of bug bites that overran my entire body.   Little did I know that my lightly scented daily moisturizing lotion was an immediate attraction for every type of biting fly, mosquito, spider, and gnat in the entire continent of Australia.  But, I learned from that experience.  The next opportunity I had for a jungle visit, this time in Puerto Rico, I skipped the lotion and had a great visit to the rainforest canopy and floor that didn’t leave me itching for weeks.

First impressions count. 

The last couple of weeks have been incredibly busy in our office.  Lots of new jobs coming in and MANY people who have been looking for the past few months called to tell me they had gotten offers and were moving on to new positions.

As the job market begins to pick up, it’s increasingly important to mind your p’s and q’s with regards to making first impressions.  You don’t EVER get a chance to take back that first meeting.  A friend of mine, Therese Baker from Abbtech, said to me the other day: you’ll never have the same conversation with the same person twice.  It got me thinking about first impressions, so next week, I’m presenting a webinar on the subject of making a great first impression; I hope you’ll join in on the discussion register here. 

In the meantime, keep these points in mind today as you meet someone new. Whether it’s a meeting at work, an interview, or a charity event you’re attending.  You never know who you are going to meet and where that meeting might lead, so make every first impression count:

·         Be yourself, at ease, and appropriately dressed.

·         Be on time and smile. 

·         Have good posture, grooming and be confident without being cocky.

·         Make meaningful small talk-find something in common with everyone.

·         Have a confident handshake

·         Use the person’s name when you can.

One of my close personal friends today is someone that I met randomly in the hallway at work ten years ago.   Had he never stopped me to ask directions, we never would have had the exchange that we had the second time we crossed paths again later that day.  Make each conversation you have meaningful and positive.  You never know where it will lead!

For a Webinar on how to make a GREAT first impression visit: http://www.carolynthompson.net/makingagreatfirstimpressionwebinar.htm

Carolyn Thompson

Author of TEN EASY STEPS TO A PERFECT RESUME…available on Amazon.com!
and TEN STEPS TO FINDING THE PERFECT JOB…available on Amazon.com!  

Tags: advice, experience, first impressions, interview, jobs, webinars