Professionals who are tasked to re-work or re-edit their resumes could be in a bind, especially if they don’t have the capacity to hire a professional to do it for them.
Your resume should reflect your career and competence, especially if you are applying for a senior role or a management position. Here are some things that your resume needs to show in order for your application to stand out among the competition.
Understanding the job description is a crucial key in determining whether you are fit for the job or not.
Highlight your education, previous jobs and noteworthy achievements like getting a promotion or being able to start a project. If you encountered a crisis at work and was able to manage it properly, that also deserves a space in your resume.
Attach metrics and numbers if needed such as surpassing KPIs or sales targets. In short, market yourself to recruiters well enough for them to take a chance on you.
Incorporating all your years of experience in a piece of paper, or two, is definitely hard work but if you strategize enough it can be done. Select all relevant experience and skills for a particular job opening and start sifting from there. A resume, no matter how brief, if it’s beefed up with all the things an employer wants to see will surely be placed in the considered pile.
One trick is to lead with a professional summary to let recruiters know upfront that you are interested in the role. Place this after your details so recruiters are sure not to miss this while glancing on your application. Recruiters themselves say that the usage of active language voice and strong verbs conveys the applicant’s intent of pursuing the role.
Study the position that you are applying for as well and ask yourself questions like “does the role require me to send in samples of my work? or do I need to include links of my products?”
Your resume should also be correct in a sense that it should be free of typos and grammatical error. Never submit a resume if you haven’t proofread it twice or even thrice. Having other people proofread it eliminates chances of having errors, too. Research reveals that 58% of hiring managers would automatically reject a candidate whose resume contains a typo error.
Final Thoughts
To summarize, your resume should be clear, honest, readable and straight to the point. Use professional font styles and readable font sizes in text and make sure to update all emails and contact numbers that you include in the document. Differentiate content from header and subheadings as well. Always remember to aim for clarity not clutter.
Finally, if you’re not confident in curating your own CV, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us as we’re more than willing to give you a free resume evaluation. Good luck!
Writing your resume is not really a walk in the park. While you can tap plenty of professional resume writers out there, if you do not have the budget yet, here are a few resume writing tricks that you can incorporate on your CV.
Resumes are formulated so applicants can introduce themselves to potential employers. It is not to inventory the mundane tasks you perform in your current or previous roles. That’s why it’s important to present your data in quantifiable measures. This way, hiring managers can get a view of your performance in your previous jobs and can see what skills and advantages you can bring to the table.
Much like the first point, listing your achievements in quantifiable measures, such as reaching target sales or surpassing a quota, are just some of the things that deserve to shine in your resume. Focus your application on naming the things that you have accomplished throughout your career such as getting a promotion, being handed a team to manage or spearheading a project. Those achievements reflect leadership, responsibility and project management skills so it’s essential that you take time to work on that section of your CV.
It’s not breaking news that most of the applications now are done through the internet that’s why it’s vital that you incorporate keywords related to the job opening you want to be considered for. For example, if you’re applying for a resume writing role, keywords such as “writer,” “content specialist” and “resume writer” are also useful for recruiters to be able to reach you and tap you to apply for an opening.
In line with this, it’s also important that you establish your online presence and make yourself available online, especially if you are seeking a job with a digital-related role. Be sure to keep your lines open so that you won’t miss emails or calls from recruiters.
Formatting matters because readability is a crucial part of your resume. Utilize easy-to-read font style and font size, as well as ample spacing. A simple layout and design is more desirable, but for some jobs incorporating graphic elements add interest and edge as well.
Make sure there are no typo or grammatical error in your resume as it can be a red flag for recruiters. Always proofread and edit your resume before submitting. Allow other people to read it as well to ensure its quality.
Understanding the role of the job is a vital part of the job-seeking process. Customizing your resume for every job ad is a great tactic to actually stand out among your competition. Curate your resume for job openings per company or per role. It might be a tedious job, but it’s a proven effective step in getting employed.
Jobseekers often forget that employers review resumes very quickly and within that short time, they should be able to grasp why you deserve a shot for the role. If you need help in curating your resume, you can reach out to us for a free resume evaluation. All the best!
Curating a resume is not anyone’s idea of a good time, but if you allot enough effort and strategy into it, that piece of document could actually help you land your dream job. As professionals, it’s vital that your work experience is clearly reflected in your resume. You must have the basics of an effective resume locked down.
Format matters. A good quality of an effective professional resume is its format so it’s crucial that you don’t go overboard with your CV.
In addition, you also have to make sure that you are reachable. Include your updated email address and contact number. Keep your lines open and check your emails in case a recruiter contacts you.
Parade your skills. Your skills section is the most crucial part of your resume. This is where you are able to show the potential employer that you are actually a suitable candidate for the job. Put emphasis on it, but again, never go overboard.
Quantify your experience. Whenever you can, use concrete data points to reflect your achievements and experience. This is most applicable in the sales and marketing field.
Additional information. Every application is different for every job opening so it’s essential that you are always open to tweak your resume from time to time. Take note of the job position and the skills required for the role.
It’s important to keep your resume short but complete. This way, hiring managers will never overlook your application because they can easily spot what they are looking for. If you need help in formulating a winning professional resume, Career Management Systems can do the job for you. Reach out to us now for a free resume evaluation.
WHAT TO WEAR AT WORK
You may ask yourself, “What is the best apparel for me on the job? Should I try to blend in, apparel wise, or should I strive for that perfect image?” If you are new on the job, you will probably want to dress in a similar fashion to others.
With one company, it may be a suit. With another company (like Apple or Google), it could be jeans. In the beginning, it would be a deadly sin to try to “out dress” other employees by kicking up your personal appearance by 200% and creating an unwanted spotlight. You never know what other employees are thinking and you may be ostracized from the very first day!
However, as you move up the ladder with a company, gain promotions and accept challenging responsibilities, then it’s the time you will want to upgrade your look. Despite the fact that your brainpower and competencies are the same either way, a person in jeans (most of the time) will be treated differently than a person in a business suit. A person driving an old, rusty Honda will be treated differently than someone driving a Cadillac. The person may be the same, but the image is vastly different. Remain very aware of your “look”.
Shoes: We have all seen business people who have that perfect look from the top of their head down to their ankles. They really look special! Then, as you look down to that final step, you see shoes that are scuffed, old and discolored. Suddenly, that perfect look looks a little shabby in its totality. You don’t have to spend $300 for shoes in order to have that crisp image; but, you do have to have shoes that are fairly modern, clean and perfectly polished. People notice…
As you move up the ladder, slight, subtle upgrades to your personal appearance are recommended and will never get you into any trouble.
Jewelry: Yes, it’s okay to wear some jewelry. However, we have seen people who have taken the jewelry wearing thing to the extreme. Therefore, it’s okay to wear a little jewelry, but 15 pounds of jewelry is a definite no-no.
Avoid highly-trendy clothing at all costs.
Ladies, you already know this, but a little reminder can’t hurt. Be careful regarding low-cut tops or clothing that may be just a little too tight or a little too short. That may be the fashion… but it may not work on the job.
For more information or to request an exploratory consultation: info@jobs1111.com or https://www.cms-careers.com or 716-649-6000.
Writing or updating your resume early in your career can be difficult and confusing. You have this piece of paper, but the only thing you can confidently include are your personal details and educational background. Despite the lack of experience, you still need to show hiring managers that you’re a suitable candidate for the position.
Remember that even if you have little to no work experience, your skillset is a great determining factor in job applications. You just have to know how to properly showcase those on paper.
Analyzing the job description is the first step. Know what the job entails and requires of you. This way, you’ll know what skills and relevant experience to highlight. For entry-level candidates, never hesitate to include internships, volunteer work and student activities you were part of that may seem relevant to the job.
Going through the job description will also help you assess if you see yourself flourishing in the job or not.
Prioritize your skills. Knowing how to play up your skills is key to snagging a potential interview. When working on your resume, put focus on your skills and knowledge. If you are knowledgeable on certain computer software or tools like InDesign, SEMrush, Google Analytics and the like, it’s best to include them on your resume.
Use keywords. Know how to utilize keywords as well because this is a crucial part of the pooling process. When creating your Linkedin profile for example, you must use keywords pertaining to the career you want to land (i.e. Content Specialist, Software Engineer, etc.). This can help your profile be on top of Linkedin’s search engine results and other search engine platforms that recruiters go through.
Summarize with impact. A resume is your ticket to your career. For fresh graduates, it could be daunting to not know what to put or where to start. But if you need to include a summary, introduce yourself like you market yourself for the job opening. Use this section as an opportunity to step away from the traditional bulleted points and let employers know more a bit about you.
Since we are now operating in a digital world, feel free to link a site to your works, especially if it’s relevant to the job. There’s nothing wrong with putting a personal spin on that document, especially if it makes recruiters scan your resume a little longer.
Gather your references. Your future employer would call your references to ask about your work ethics, character and previous achievements. Be sure to choose the people who can help you land the job you’re aiming for. Validate their contact details to ensure that the HR personnel will be able to contact them moving forward.
Structure matters. Your resume is your representation in the eyes of recruiters. It can define who you are in the eyes of employers and who you could be in their company. Edit your resume a few times before passing, tweak it for different job applications and pay attention to formatting.
Always proofread your resume before sending. Double or triple check if needed before submission. Errors in resume, no matter how minor they are, screams red flags to employers because it reflects your attention to detail.
Final Thoughts
We hope these tips have given you fresh insights on how to create an attention-grabbing entry-level resume. If you’d like some help in curating your CV, please don’t hesitate to reach out to a resume writing service provider like Career Management Systems.
Have a great day ahead!
When you reach a point that you want to tap a resume writing service provider, it begs the question “how much should having my resume written by a professional cost me?”
The correct answer to that is it really depends on certain factors, including your career level, your preferred role, your tenure, etc. Professional resume writers also charge you based on their level of expertise.
A rough ballpark figure for professional resume writing service would be around US$50 to US$1,200, all of which are dependent on your career experience. We’ve divided it in three categories to give you a clear price range of how much these services cost.
Entry-level professionals
Employees who are still early on in their careers and even fresh-graduates would usually need to allot around US$50 to US$300 for that resume. Getting your foot in the door is imperative as a job seeker with little or no experience, so don’t be afraid to invest in a professional resume writer and have that advantage over your competitors.
Professional Resume
Individuals who have more than three years of experience, but not quite in an executive-level position should never hesitate to hire expert resume writers to bump up their CVs, even though it would set them back for around US$400 to US$1,000.
At this point in your career, a professionally written resume could land you better opportunities and offers, especially if your aim is career growth and diversification. It becomes significantly more important to have a resume that it going to impress the hiring manager and cause you to stick out from the competition.
Tapping a writing service is a great choice when you’re struggling to find the words or make the right impression with your current resume, especially when you are planning to make a change of career path or moving into a role largely different from your previous ones.
Executive resume
C-suite and executive level professionals would usually spend US$600 to US$1,200 for that document to really stand out. If you are an executive seeking for a six-figure post, you want an executive resume that positions you well for the role.
The results from hiring a certified an expert resume writer usually lands these employees higher response rates, higher income and builds a better case if you are in need of a promotion.
While there are many people who are willing to spend a certain amount of money to have that resume a quick stand out for recruiters, please always be mindful to take into considerations some factors, especially third party reviews from previous clients.
Final Thoughts
Be sure to remember that when investing in a resume writing service, it’s always better to voice out what you want to your resume to reflect. It’s always better to engage in consultation with the professional who will write your resume in order to really let that document stand out. Be on the lookout as well for highly recommended professional resume writers so that you get your money’s worth.
The skills section of your resume is an integral part for recruiters to see whether you’re a good fit for a position or not. In this section, you are given liberty to highlight your abilities and qualifications relevant for that job posting. It’s also an easy way to get keywords onto your resume, particularly for online applications. The key here is customizing the skills you include in your CV to match the requirements of the job. Tailoring your resume to every position you apply for gives you an edge to actually snag a job interview or even get you hired. Here are the key skills you should definitely include in your resume.
Communication skills
Employers are always on the lookout for candidates with effective communication skills, especially if the role involves speaking with clients, meetings with the management, and/or brainstorming ideas. Aside from mentioning that you have good verbal and written communication skills in your resume, you can easily show that by choosing the right words in your writing and using an easy-to-read, active writing format. Employers are impressed with potential employees with strong communication skills because it also somehow reflects some of your leadership skills. If you have experience and expertise, include public speaking or web communication as part of your skillset to further boost your application. If you speak any foreign languages, include it in your CV as well. Just don’t forget to mention the fluency you have with the language. This could be vital as global companies nowadays need someone with fluency in another language to help deal customers or clients.
Flexibility and Time Management skills
Most organizations, if not all, seek employees who are dynamic and adaptable to various situations. Flexibility encompasses one’s ability to work individually or within a team, as well as the capacity to work beyond his or her delegated responsibilities. If you have organized projects or events independently, or you’ve been a part of a company-wide project, never hesitate to include them on your resume. Employers value people who can do projects well on their own, as well as being a team player. Time management skills include how you plan and prioritize projects. Multitasking would also be part of this skill so if you have worked projects with time constraints and stressful environments, this sure is a skill you have earned. Placing emphasis on your flexibility and time management skill could also be very useful in building up your case for a potential raise or a promotion.
Technical skills
Include specific computer applications or software that you are well-versed in in your resume, such as Photoshop, Dreamweaver or InDesign. This could improve your application, especially if you have ample experience in the field. Just be particular with the applications you include and make sure it’s a close match with the job requirements. Remember that recruiters don’t just club applications by simply hired or not hired. There are instances when they see a potential candidate could also be considered for a different role.
Final Thoughts
These are just some of the skills you should definitely include in your resume. While the skill section gives focus on your abilities, always makes sure to never go overboard with what you write. Always be ready to prove that you are capable of your skills you enumerated on that document. Meanwhile, if you’re not confident in building your own CV, we offer professional resume writing services that can help you tailor-fit your CV and portfolio based on what a specific job requires. Feel free to reach out to us by ringing 716-649-6000 for a free evaluation and we’ll see how we should go from there. All the best!
DATING A CO-WORKER: OKAY OR NOT? What are the rules regarding dating someone from your place of work? When is it all right to turn a friendly morning smile into a request for a date? You don’t know of others within the company who have ventured into this unknown area, but opposites attract and, right now, you are attracted! Our guess is that there is no written corporate rule…but be very careful. One date can lead to a second date and then to a nice relationship unless…(and this does happen) the relationship goes really sour.
There was a television program on years ago where two employees, a man and a woman, openly fought and appeared to dislike each other immensely. Behind the scenes, however, it turned out they were passionate lovers; the fighting, of course, was simply a disguise.
Breaking up is hard to do? As the old song goes, if this new office relationship takes a dumper and goes south…then what do you do? You will have a dilemma on your hands.
Predictably, it’s especially awkward when your former love interest is still in the very same office as you are in. Not good. The environment would be prickly at best and create unwanted distractions for both of you. You could request a departmental transfer, but that might interrupt your career plan. You might hope your former mate transfers, but there is no guarantee of that.
At the other end, we know of one very career-minded young man …a college graduate…who was just beginning his career with a large company, with an eye for moving onward and upward. Although single and quite handsome, on his very first day on the job, he had purchased and was now wearing…a wedding ring! Sneaky.
For him, an office relationship was a big fat “No”! For him, there would be dozens of other interesting relationship possibilities with other ladies outside of a work environment. While others may go in a different direction, this technique worked wonderfully for him.
The same recommendation holds true for dating your boss. In the short run, it could have some very definite advantages. In the long run, if the relationship ends, this could be a disaster for any individual.
Therefore, if you would like to strike up a work relationship, just be cautious. You might find the love of your life…or you might find yourself in the middle of a monstrous mess…or worse, even be out of a job!
For more information or to request an exploratory consultation: info@jobs1111.com or https://www.cms-careers.com or 716-649-6000.
Recruiters and hiring managers literally receive hundreds of resumes for a single role. Therefore, ensuring that your resume features your skills and expertise is a must. You can tell if a resume is exceptional if it can catch the interest of recruiters in just a quick scan. To do that, make sure to include what employers want to see in an applicant’s resume. Curious what they are? Don’t worry, we’ve enumerated them below.
Roles and Responsibilities
Jotting down the titles of your previous roles in the resume isn’t enough. Spend extra time describing what each position involved, including your key responsibilities, and achievements. Highlight those duties that perfectly fit the position you are applying for now. As much as possible, use the bulleted format for clarity, and avoid mentioning too much. For fresh graduates, since you still don’t have work experience to bank on, make sure you focus on your educational achievements and internship. If you have done freelance jobs relevant to the position you are applying for, it’s worth a shot to include those, too.
Skills
You should also list the skills you are equipped with in line with the job qualifications you are applying for. For example, if you’re applying for a digital content producer position, make sure you highlight what editing applications you have mastered. At the same time, you can also attach your portfolio or some sample work once you send your resume. For employees applying for different roles in various fields, take the time to tailor your CV to each particular job that you’re applying for. Even though it’s a bit tedious, it increases your chances of getting interviewed and hopefully a call back.
Achievements and Career Progression
Recruitment professionals look for “notable” results in your career, especially if you have been in the workforce for quite some time. They also like to read quick stories of career progression to gage what kind of employee you are. And thus, don’t hesitate to mention previous promotions in your resume, times you’ve hit your quota (if you’re a salesperson), or other privileged opportunities such as travelling out of the country to represent your previous employer in a training or seminar. For roles within the scope of digital media, it’s important to let the recruiters have an idea of your online presence. Include your personal domain and even social media accounts if it’s necessary to build your case in landing that job.
References
Although it’s not always required, it’s good to put in people references in your resume so your future employer can ask these people about your character, work ethics, etc. Just please give the people you’ll include in your references a heads up that your potential employer might be in contact with them to ask about you.
Final Thoughts
Lastly, it’s important to take note of your resume formatting. Make sure the layout is clear and consistent for easier readability. Make it concise and short since job hunters really don’t have time to read through a three-page resume. Avoid typos and inconsistencies in the document and make sure that your contact details are updated. After that, you’re good to go! Good luck!
Even if executives have strong leadership skills and years of experience on their belts, resume writing is not always their cup of tea. This is why c-suite employees tend to outsource experienced resume writers to help them snag that new job, promotion or to simply let their resume reflect their career.
Executives usually outsource professional writing services for their resume for three main reasons:
Clarity and transparency. Senior management employees are tenured and skilled enough for their roles so many of them are “approached” by companies or competitors of their current employer. However, when it comes to a point that they actually have to apply for a new position, it’s a no-brainer for them to hire experts to give their CVs a clear-cut distinction of their advantages and achievements.
Professional resume writers know what to include and what not to include in an executive resume. They know that employees of these caliber want a concise and detailed piece of paper that will mirror their competence and work ethics, and so they deliver what’s required of them.
Further, a resume written by an expert will be reviewed by qualified editors and proofreaders as part of the professional writing service so you are ensured that your resume is valued and you are getting what you paid for.
Time Savings. Believe it or not, modifying or crafting a CV is time consuming. Outsourcing the resume writing process can save you time despite setting you back for a price. Remember that such services are investments and it’s meant to give you a leap in your career, one way or another.
Given the workload executives have, it’s nearly impossible that they could allot time to personally alter their creative resumes. Professional resume writers provides you a secured turnaround time for that document without the expense of it being thoroughly and well-written.
Chances are your competitors have also outsourced experts to write their CVs, so it’s never an issue to work as promptly with an expert and coordinate with them your desired results. You can also ask them to help you with a cover letter if you think it’s a vital part of your employment.
On-Target content. Your resume is meant to give hiring managers a picture of your professional life. Knowing what professional writing service to outsource, you are assured that these people have ample certifications and can really help you boost your chances of getting that job and build your case for future promotion.
Simply put, if you consider yourself a professional, you would want your resume to be handled by a professional as well. A well curated resume stimulates conversations that eventually land you to where you want to be.
While you are already decided to tap a professional resume writer to modify or create a new resume for you, never forget to consider and analyze your options carefully before moving forward. Make sure to look for feedback from previous clients or even ask personal references from colleagues for first-hand experience for such services.