Each organization and its leaders are looking for a particular type of individual for their open positions. The minute specifics will change a bit depending on the industry or field a company is in, but overall, a vast majority of employers are interested in a handful of characteristics - particularly what they hear during the interview. Tim Muma talks with Jessica Holbrook Hernandez, the President and CEO of Great Resumes...
Has a lackluster resume response rate left you wondering if your resume or the job market is to blame for your shortage of interviews? Take a quick look at my list of five basics of a mediocre resume to help determine if your resume is to blame for your interview famine. Mediocre Resume Component #1 – A vanilla, undistinguished introduction or profile. If the introductory statement on your resume could describe someone else...
Are you overlooking common resume blunders on your resume? I review job seeker resumes on a daily basis and I find the same three mistakes being repeated by countless job seekers. Below I’ve listed them so you can take a good look at your own resume and make some adjustments. Using An Objective Statement The problem with an objective statement is twofold. First, the employer already knows your objective is to get the job—an...
Does your resume read like a job description? Is it one long list of bullets that contain the phrases duties included or responsible for? Sought-after candidates (the ones whose phones are ringing off the hook for interviews while you’re struggling to get one call-back) don’t include phrases like these on their resumes. I hate to be so blunt but hey, you need to know. Stop selling yourself short in your job search. You CAN...
Do you want your resume, cover letter, and biography to look disheveled or professional and well-prepared? These documents are a reflection of you as a candidate—and as such, how you present yourself is important to how you’re perceived as a potential employee. Therefore, having documents that don’t match in style, format, design, or branding can really portray you as unorganized, not very detail-oriented, and lackluster. H...
Let’s lay to rest the worn out, tired resume words and phrases that every job seeker seemed to utilize in 2012. Be sure when you’re getting your resume together for your 2013 job search that you avoid these generic, vague terms that make you sound just like everyone else versus someone who stands out from the crowd. Accomplished — Rather than saying you’re accomplished, use quantifiable examples throughout the resume to sho...
Yes, employers still read cover letters. Let me just start with that since I’m asked that question quite frequently these days. I will say that I’m sure not all of them do, but the majority still take a few moments to scan through the cover letter—and so having an attention-grabbing cover letter is important. Especially if you have something significant you need to say. And I assure you, if you’re applying for a posit...
I hate to say it, but the attention span of hiring managers seems to be getting shorter. In fact, I was speaking with an executive-level employer the other day (who regularly reviews resumes), and he commented about how quickly he can scan through a stack of resumes and choose the candidates he plans to call. He admitted that it really is an unfair process—that so many job seekers are judged solely by the quality and presen...
Ever wonder what a potential boss wants to hear in an interview? What exactly can you say that will increase your chances of receiving a job offer? I recently heard some great advice that lined up with my previous experience as a human resources manager, and so I thought I would share this great advice with you! Here are five things to communicate during an interview that will convince the employer you’re a great hire. 1....
I recently found myself baffled. Yes, baffled. I placed an ad with a prominent, industry-related newsletter seeking a few new, talented, certified resume writers to add to our team. One of the requirements of the application submission included submitting a few samples of previous work the writers had completed—and also a request that they submit their fee requirements. Of all the submissions we received, only one candidate...