A good resume demonstrates that you are better organized and prepared than your competition. According to Martin Yate, a nationally renowned career adviser, "it's a staunch friend who only speaks well of you and can gain you entrance into undreamed-of-opportunities."
No resume gets read unless a prospective employer is trying to solve a problem. Resumes that get acted upon are those that demonstrate the job-seeker's potential as a problem solver. Your resume must speak loudly and clearly of your value as a potential employee. And what you will bring to the job has to be articulated thoroughly, quickly, and effectively. That's where www.Affordable-Resumes.com comes into your life. We'll help you explain what you've done in a manner that tells the resume reader that you're someone that they need to hire, or interview, at least.
Your resume gets you in the door, so it must be able to stand on its own. It must emphasize what has happened in your work life, what actions you took to make those things happen, and what personal characteristics you brought to your job(s) that contributed to solving the problems of your former employer(s). It focuses attention on your strengths, showing you as a potential powerhouse of an employee, while at the same time drawing attention away from those areas that are less well-defined or lack vigor. You can do this even if you are changing the entire direction of your career.
Most resumes are deadly dull. But we at www.Affordable-Resumes.com believe that yours can be different. It should be short on words (and pages), but long on facts, showing an energy that reflects who you really are. An added, often hidden, benefit is that a good resume will focus your attention, helping you prepare for job interviews. When you have taken the time to analyze and package all of your strengths in the organized fashion that is required for a good resume, you will be able to speak fluidly about your background skills in a fashion that is guaranteed to impress the interviewer.
Your resume will also be your last and most powerful advocate. After all candidates have been interviewed, prospective employers go over their notes, application forms (if used), and the resumes supplied by the candidates. A powerful, positive resume gives you a definite edge.
In this 21st Century global economy, it is important to widen one's perspective, thereby enhancing one's employment opportunities. Take a good look at every job that you have held; or, if you are a brand-new job seeker, any internships or volunteer experiences that can highlight your qualifications. Don't get fixated on one particular job, or even one particular career. Long-gone are the days when you got a job at the beginning of your work life and stayed there until retirement. Most of today's job-seekers will have, at the very least, two career changes; many will have three or more, particularly given current economic woes.
At www.affordable-resumes.com, we take the time to help our clients take stock of what they've done when seeking a new resume. A resume is not just facts about where you worked and for how long. In these times, it has to brag about your accomplishments, in an understated way. And it must TELL THE TRUTH about your skills. Citing Martin Yale again, he advises that "you have to know where you've been, where you are, and where you're headed." Here at Affordable-Resumes.com, we work with you through each job you've held, to eke out every ounce of information we can about your accomplishments. Then we list these accomplishments, very gently, so as not to overpower the reader with bravado or boasting. One can brag without being obnoxious about it -- and that's the hallmark of an Affordable-Resumes.com resume or any other good resume service.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Sunday, January 11, 2009
What's in a Title? Your Skills - That's What!
Believe it or not, even in this bleak time of recession, there are job shortages! Notwithstanding all the dim news about job losses (over 2.5 million in 2008), people are being hired as you read this. We're proud of the fact that our company's efforts have contributed to an increase in the job rolls, as our clients have contacted us to say that they have received job offers. So, while you should pay attention to the job market statistics, don't use them as a reason for not trying to obtain new employment. Affordable-resumes.com provides you with the top-notch resume and cover letter that will help you to achieve your goal.
Listed below are some cutting-edge careers which are both viable now and poised for future growth, mking them ahead-of-the-curve careers, according to the latest US News and World Report information:
Asian Business Development Specialist
Behavioral Geneticist
Computational Biologist
Data Miner
Emergency Manager
Green-collar Specialist
Health Information Specialist
Immigration Specialist
Offshoring Manager
Patient Advocate
Simulation Developer
Solar Installer
Wellness Coordinator
Listed below are some cutting-edge careers which are both viable now and poised for future growth, mking them ahead-of-the-curve careers, according to the latest US News and World Report information:
Asian Business Development Specialist
Behavioral Geneticist
Computational Biologist
Data Miner
Emergency Manager
Green-collar Specialist
Health Information Specialist
Immigration Specialist
Offshoring Manager
Patient Advocate
Simulation Developer
Solar Installer
Wellness Coordinator
http://www.usnews.com/articles/business/best-careers/2008/12/04/ahead-of-the-curve-careers-2008.html
Before you dismiss all of these job opportunities as being impossible for you to fill, look more closely. Many skills are transferrable and we invite you to find what skills you have which can mutate into another career path. For instance, if you have data-entry experience, you could probably become a Data Miner. Most people with management experience could adapt to becoming emergency managers with little training (as emergency implies that there will be some learning on the job). If you have any health-care education or experience (nurse assistant, health technician, even clerical experience in a health-care setting), take a gander at Wellness Coordinator, Health Information Specialist, and Patient Advocate. If you have roofing experience, become a Solar Installer. And if you speak Spanish, an Asian or an African language, there might be a position for you with an immigration law firm as an Immigration Specialist.
Do not think that because your present job doesn't fit the exact title of the job specifications that you're out of luck. Do a bit more digging. Do some research to find out what the requirements of a job are before you dismiss yourself as underqualified. Discover what a Solar Green-collar Specialist and a Simulation Developer do. You might meet some of those qualifications, and some employers will provide on-the-job training if all other requirements can be met. A willingness to learn is key in any position one holds, and your enthusiasm for undertaking a new career path could be the difference between a "No thank you," and "You're hired!" If you have business experience AND speak an Asian language, definitely look at becoming an Asian Business Development Specialist. In other words, don't focus upon your limitations, but look at your possibilities, and don't be afraid! As you can see from the jobs listed above, only 2 (Behavioral Geneticist, Computational Biologist) require specific college degrees (Genetics and Biology). If you possess either of these degrees, you should look to see how you might be able to qualify for one of those positions. Quickly!
A personal example: When I interviewed for my first administrative job, I was asked what kind of mangement, supervisorial, or administrative experience I had. I was told that my reply - that although I had no such educational or paid experience, I had run a household of 8+ (husband, 6 children, 2 cats, 2 dogs, and 2 turtles or fish), keeping track of appointments and schedules, making sure bills were paid and meals were prepared (while holding down a full-time job and going to school) - convinced the interview committee to hire me. That, and the resume that I had written for myself. When I retired, over 22 years later, from another organization, I directed 9 departments, with hundreds of employees. I had also kept my resume writing skills honed, and was able to begin a new career with www.affordable-resumes.com.
I thought outside the box. You, too, can, and should, think outside the box. Don't limit yourself. http://www.affordable-resumes.com asks in-depth quesions to help you better define, or redefine your qualifications. We are committed to helping you succeed.
Before you dismiss all of these job opportunities as being impossible for you to fill, look more closely. Many skills are transferrable and we invite you to find what skills you have which can mutate into another career path. For instance, if you have data-entry experience, you could probably become a Data Miner. Most people with management experience could adapt to becoming emergency managers with little training (as emergency implies that there will be some learning on the job). If you have any health-care education or experience (nurse assistant, health technician, even clerical experience in a health-care setting), take a gander at Wellness Coordinator, Health Information Specialist, and Patient Advocate. If you have roofing experience, become a Solar Installer. And if you speak Spanish, an Asian or an African language, there might be a position for you with an immigration law firm as an Immigration Specialist.
Do not think that because your present job doesn't fit the exact title of the job specifications that you're out of luck. Do a bit more digging. Do some research to find out what the requirements of a job are before you dismiss yourself as underqualified. Discover what a Solar Green-collar Specialist and a Simulation Developer do. You might meet some of those qualifications, and some employers will provide on-the-job training if all other requirements can be met. A willingness to learn is key in any position one holds, and your enthusiasm for undertaking a new career path could be the difference between a "No thank you," and "You're hired!" If you have business experience AND speak an Asian language, definitely look at becoming an Asian Business Development Specialist. In other words, don't focus upon your limitations, but look at your possibilities, and don't be afraid! As you can see from the jobs listed above, only 2 (Behavioral Geneticist, Computational Biologist) require specific college degrees (Genetics and Biology). If you possess either of these degrees, you should look to see how you might be able to qualify for one of those positions. Quickly!
A personal example: When I interviewed for my first administrative job, I was asked what kind of mangement, supervisorial, or administrative experience I had. I was told that my reply - that although I had no such educational or paid experience, I had run a household of 8+ (husband, 6 children, 2 cats, 2 dogs, and 2 turtles or fish), keeping track of appointments and schedules, making sure bills were paid and meals were prepared (while holding down a full-time job and going to school) - convinced the interview committee to hire me. That, and the resume that I had written for myself. When I retired, over 22 years later, from another organization, I directed 9 departments, with hundreds of employees. I had also kept my resume writing skills honed, and was able to begin a new career with www.affordable-resumes.com.
I thought outside the box. You, too, can, and should, think outside the box. Don't limit yourself. http://www.affordable-resumes.com asks in-depth quesions to help you better define, or redefine your qualifications. We are committed to helping you succeed.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Don't Let Layoffs Keep You Down - A Good Resume Is the Best Pick-Me-Up
Let's face it. This is not the best time in our nation's economic history. We're all anxious about what the future holds. Some of us will lose our jobs. Some of us will keep our jobs, but will lose important benefits. The losses will likely hit everyone in some form or fashion. But, if you see a glass half empty, it's harder to fill it up. If it's half full, you've just a bit more ways to go before you'll be drinking the cup of prosperity. A good resume might be the trick to helping you see a brighter future.
In the last two days, two of our resume clients have gotten interviews within 24-hours of sending their first redrafted resumes out! Even though the job market is down (and still falling), people are being hired every day. So if you've been laid off, don't despair. There is a job out there with your name on it. It is up to you to find that right spot where you will fit perfectly. Take a good, hard look at your job skills and your current resume, and ask yourself: is that really who I am? Are you really just a title or position who did something blah, blah, blah? Or is there much more to you that can be put into the resume to show off your uniqueness, your talents, and your personality? After all, your resume represents you on paper. Who are you in person: that's what your resume should show.
In thinking about who you are, you might consider answering the following questions:
Do you have management, supervisory, sales or technical experience?
What is your computer expertise?
Would you accept part-time employment?
Do you have bookkeeping or accounting skills?
Do you have good interpersonal communication skills?
What licenses and certifications do you have?
What kind of technical experience do you have?
What was your college major?
What was your college minor?
Do you have retail experience?
Are you a team player?
Can you work alone?
Can you work under supervision?
Have you worked in the profit, non-profit, or government sector?
Are you motivated, task-oriented, hard-working, persistent?
What languages do you speak, and how well do you speak them?
Ask yourself how many years of experience you have in each of the above areas. If you have received any awards, what are they, and how could they be useful in your employment search?
Finally, look at your hobbies, avocation, and volunteer experiences. Could you make a living at any of these? If so, can you tie the job strengths to which you responded earlier to this possible new line of work?
Once you have done this, you will have completed the first phase of your job search - KNOWING YOURSELF AND YOUR QUALIFICATIONS. Next time we'll tell you how to proceed with your new knowledge.
Do you have management, supervisory, sales or technical experience?
What is your computer expertise?
Would you accept part-time employment?
Do you have bookkeeping or accounting skills?
Do you have good interpersonal communication skills?
What licenses and certifications do you have?
What kind of technical experience do you have?
What was your college major?
What was your college minor?
Do you have retail experience?
Are you a team player?
Can you work alone?
Can you work under supervision?
Have you worked in the profit, non-profit, or government sector?
Are you motivated, task-oriented, hard-working, persistent?
What languages do you speak, and how well do you speak them?
Ask yourself how many years of experience you have in each of the above areas. If you have received any awards, what are they, and how could they be useful in your employment search?
Finally, look at your hobbies, avocation, and volunteer experiences. Could you make a living at any of these? If so, can you tie the job strengths to which you responded earlier to this possible new line of work?
Once you have done this, you will have completed the first phase of your job search - KNOWING YOURSELF AND YOUR QUALIFICATIONS. Next time we'll tell you how to proceed with your new knowledge.
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