Did you know the average hiring manager reviews a resume in six seconds or fewer? With a stack of hundreds of resumes and cover letters to go through, that’s all the time they have to devote. No matter how well written a resume is, it won’t get a thorough reading — at least not the…
Keywords are an essential component of creating a great resume. Using them strategically throughout the copy is sure to help your resume rise to the top of the pile and impress the recruiter. However, many people take it too far. Keyword stuffing is a common pitfall for job hunters who often don’t even realize they…
Job hunters and applicant tracking systems are like vinegar and oil. The two can feel like they’re almost impossible to mix together.
However, with a bit of vigorous shaking, that vinegar and oil can become a nice salad dressing. To shake up a stalled job search, it’s time to stop believing an ATS is your enemy and start understanding how they work so you can use them to your advantage. Getting the facts is a great place to start.
Are you feeling stuck in your current position? It’s time to reposition your resume so you can find the job you want. Whether you’re an accountant who wants to go into sales or an operations manager who dreams of being a personal trainer, you face the same challenge: convincing people that, even without the experience, you can handle the new position. Here’s how to position yourself for the job you want, even if you’ve been typecast in the same role for years:
Working in the military provides many unique experiences that enhance your skill set, but it’s often specific to the branch of military where you work. When it’s time to transition into the civilian world, it might seem impossible to translate these experiences to catch the eye of a hiring manager. With a little effort you can…
The first step toward getting a new job for many job seekers isn’t making it past the phone screening, it’s making it past the Applicant Tracking System. In the past decade, hiring managers have embraced the ATS, as it helps them easily pluck the most qualified candidates, as well as save time and money. The…
Every job seeker needs to stand out in their search. While there are numerous components that will lead to success, some are erroneously ignored by well-meaning job hunters. One extremely important aspect of any job search is the summary that appears on your resume, yet many spend little time on resume summary. However, if you…
When you search “resume tips” on Google, you get 98,600,000 results. While there are some time-tested best practices for resumes, more people seem to be getting creative with theirs. In fact, unique resume presentation and delivery are making headlines and even going viral on social media.
There’s more to this tight job market than diva demands from candidates who know they’ve got plenty of room to bargain for things like sky-high pay and vacation time and endless perks. The labor shortage is causing recruiters, hiring managers, and other HR types to cast a wider net than ever before, considering people who…
Any HR professional will tell you how tiring it is to see a few overused words and phrases on tens of thousands of resumes. When reviewing someone’s resume, cover letters or other forms of communications, terms such as “motivated,” “results oriented,” and “problem solver” just sound empty. Each year, LinkedIn compiles a list of most…
Even if you’re not job hunting, keeping your resume current is a smart idea. Not only do you have it at the ready for that amazing, unexpected business contact, but it can help guide you in the choices you make that ultimately define your career. Here are 10 things you should do to update…
If you’re like many people, you’ve probably been in a situation where it seems like no matter how many job applications you submit and no matter how much you refine your resume, you never hear anything back. That silence can be incredibly frustrating. In reality, recruiters and hiring managers often receive hundreds (or even thousands) of…
Your resume, LinkedIn profile and two-minute pitch are all important tools to use when you’re on the job search. Each element allows you to position yourself when it comes to job interviews and informational meetings. They emphasize your skills, abilities, accomplishments, and experiences developed over your career in various ways, illustrate your success, and relate…
A job search is a naturally complex endeavor. Completing assessment exercises, brainstorming targets, identifying the search phase you’re currently in, strategizing for interviews — you have a lot to juggle when you’re looking for a job. However, it pays to simplify in some key areas, otherwise prospective employers may have a hard time understanding who you really are professionally and what you might bring to the table.
You’ve got a stellar resume, great references and a list of skills a mile long. Unfortunately, you also have an employment gap that feels miles wide. How can you mind the gap and still keep prospective employers interested? Whether you were laid off, took a sabbatical or stayed home to care for family, follow these five time-tested rules for explaining employment gaps.
You want your resume to be found online, for it to move past applicant tracking systems and land in front of the decision makers who will hire you for your dream job. To do so, it’s critical to fine-tune your copy and make use of important keywords. This will optimize your resume for search engines and other systems so it stands out among the competition.
When you’re looking for a job, your personal branding is critical and it should be consistent across everything you do — from your reisolated young business man with positive attitude convincing with handssume and networking interviews, to cover letters and actual employment interviews. Members of The Five O’Clock Club refine and convey their personal brand through a “Two-Minute Pitch” that’s the backbone of everything they do. Developing one for yourself ensures you’ll be ready to respond intelligently when someone says “So tell me about yourself.”
Fine-tuning your resume, filling out online applications, and going to time-consuming interviews — finding a job often feels like a job itself. Just when you think you’ve nailed the interview and proven that you’re the perfect fit for a position, you learn that another candidate has been selected. Stop feeling frustrated and start thinking of what…
From [email protected] Most of the time, when London-based private equity firm Sovereign Capital administers an emotional intelligence test on a prospective hire, the results are not too dramatic. “We look at it as a tool that helps us get our hiring decisions a little bit more right,” says Matthew Owen, a partner there. “For most candidates,…
Feel stuck in your present position? Peel off your old label, slap on a new one, and position yourself for something different. Build a strong resume that positions you for the job you want. Whether you’re an accountant who wants to go into sales or an operations person who dreams of being a trainer, the…