It is the season that we start thinking about how we are grateful for what we have.  Our family, friends, our homes, and yes even our jobs.  But as we start thinking about our jobs we start wondering about the holidays and the new year rapidly approaching us, and if it is time to start looking for a better job.

Let’s start with the basics if you are among the working class of people please be grateful for your job, as way to many would gladly take your job if you are not interested.   Second if you are ready to make a change or just want to see what is out there in terms of a job, then you are on the right track.

Looking for a new job and or career can be daunting, and stressful.  So take your time and get your self set up for success now so when the right opportunity presents itself you are ready.

First things first:

1) Get out your old resume

2) Is everything up to date?  Is it compatible with today’s Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) that most companies now use?  – If you don’t know ask around to see if someone you trust can help you.  If not reach out to a company that is willing to help you, many company’s including us at www.resumerx.com  will give you a free review.

3) Do you have a cover letter ready?  Cover letter should be no more than 5 paragraphs with no more than 3-7 sentences in each.  The cover letter lets you show case your skills and sell yourself to the company by highlighting your skills that match and how you can use them for the company.   MAKE SURE THEY ARE CUSTOMIZED to the individual company you are applying for.

4) Some times in order to get your cover letter and resume in together I suggest having a file where you cover letter is right before your resume.

5) Research the company you are applying for to ensure that you would be a good fit for them as well as they are with you.  Ex:  Would you want to apply to a job that makes meat products if you are a vegetarian?

6) ALWAYS have a second set of eyes read both your cover letter and your resume for any typographical and or grammatical errors.  The simplest things can make or break your chances so play it safe and eliminate any potential problems when you can.

7) Remember it is still appropriate to send a hand written “Thank You” card after your interview.

With these simple steps take the time to give “Thanks” to those in your life that you are truly grateful for.

Thank you to everyone who reads my blogs and if you have any suggestion’s and or questions you would like answered, please let us know.

Naomi

Have you ever been excited to apply for a position that you feel was created for you?  Or perhaps you just like what you are reading and you want to see if you would be qualified. If so you are not alone, many people stumble across their “ideal job” and quickly throw together a resume to get their name in front of the right people.

“Throwing together a quick resume” will typically not get you very far.  A well thought out resume should incorporate some very specific accomplishments of what you have done for your employers with are similar to the skill sets that the “ideal job” is looking for.

I am a strong advocate of having a resume ready to go at a moment’s notice, and that may take some time initially but in the end will be a good investment.  As with anything the length of the resume is the key question. how many pages should it be – the answer is simpler than you might think.

If you have worked for more than 10 years then your resume should not exceed 2 pages.  If you have worked for less than 10 years it should not exceed 1 page.  Where we run into problems is when we want to show that we working in the “Ideal job” industry but is 15 years ago and we want to showcase that, there are ways that you can add specific job history without adding more than the last 10 years of work history, that is simply by listing the title and the company without more detail except for the areas in which you are showing them the relevance.

As for not having enough to fill up a 1 page resume, that is also simple, DON”T do it.  While it is tempting to enlarge the print and stretch the spacing, it simply looks like you are trying to hard.  Instead be specific on the resume and utilize your Cover Letter to showcase your talents.

We are here at Resumerx.com to assist you with your resume writing needs.  As always, have a great day!

Naomi

With the year 2013 behind us, many people are looking at setting goals and thinking about where they want to be with their Career by the end of the year.  As you look at changing jobs, considering applying for a different position or maybe returning back to the workforce after some time off.  Then it is time to consider what your resume needs, does it need a D.I.E.T. or a B.U.F.F. up, don’t worry you are not alone in not knowing what we mean by DIET or BUFF, so we will explain.

D – De-cluttering,  I -Illusive, E -Endless, T – Tiring

or is it in need of a B.U.F.F.  …..

B – Beneficial – U -Useful – F – Facts – F – Functional

Well the true answer is that most people all need a little Resume D.I.E.T. and a little B.U.F.F.ing up.

Several resumes today are still showing that where they worked 20 years as a mailroom clerk and are familiar with facsimile machines vs. a Fax machine, both are proper terminology, however an updated use of terms will go a long way in getting noticed when you start sending out your resume for that ideal job.

Please reach out to us here at Resume Rx and see how we can help you with the Resume D.I.E.T or B.U.F.F.

Naomi

Many people make a News Year Resolution or set goals for themselves for the New Year.  While setting a resolution and or a goal they are both something you want to achieve in a specific period.

Are you one of many that are considering a change in your work environment?  Maybe a new job, new position or just wanting to be heard in your company?  Are you looking to be prepared for when the right opportunity may arise?

At Resume Rx we are here to help with all of the above.  We can help write a new resume, cover letters and provide coaching with interview preparation and more.

Based on over 15 years of HR experience we can help you work towards a new resolution and or goals.