Author: brian

1.    Cover Letter
You MUST have one. It must be professionally written and reinforce your experience and value proposition to the hiring company. It needs to be to the point and precise. In today’s market your cover letter is what will either get your resume additional consideration or the fast track to the “Do Not Call” list. The cover letter is you being able to speak to the potential employer and tell them why they should hire you versus your competition. Not having a cover letter or a less than perfect cover letter will put you at a distinct disadvantage in today’s job market.

2.    Resume
Is you resume up to date, is it correctly and consistently formatted, does it have key points? Most of all is the spelling correct and the punctuation? Are you reviewing your own resume? If so, have a friend or family member conduct a “Resume Stress Test” for errors and areas for improvement. Ideally, have a professional resume writer create for you a resume from your career experience. With the vast amount of resumes being submitted for open positions, yours has to be outstanding! Get professional help from a resume writer. Recruiters will only give about 10 seconds to scan your resume; do your key points stand out, does it call attention to the main points of what you can do for the company? Does it have the proper structure to keep the attention of the recruiter?

3.    Preparation
The first step as in anything is to be prepared, just like preparing for an exam. Also, consider the following questions to focus your preparation; What jobs are you looking for? Do you know where to search and find the job that you want? Once you decided the direction you are going, have you studied the companies that lead in that industry? Don�t do just a Google search; you need to be well prepared and ready. For example, if it’s a retail company, visit a few of their stores, observe the customers, and even strike up a few conversations. Talk to existing employees–ask them what it’s like working there. Become familiar with the history of the company. Who started it? Where? Who runs it now? Be creative, and do whatever you believe the other candidates don’t have the guts to do.

4.    Network
Companies tend nowadays to rely heavily on employee referrals. Make a list of all of your friends, relatives, and acquaintances. Call each one and ask them if they know of any openings that they could recommend you for. Be prepared to send them an expertly prepared resume. Do not be too humble, tell them what you are looking for, but let them know that you’re flexible and that if they have any suggestions, you’re open to them. A referral name can often open the door and allow you to step in and get a job before it is advertised.

5.    Prepare for the Interview
You need to be ready to give solid answers to interviewer questions when asked. Candidates should begin interview preparation well before an interview is scheduled just take a list of 20 common interview questions and start preparing responses. Then practice with a friend you as the candidate and them as the interviewer. Record your mock interview and improve your responses. Don’t wait to start this preparation! Job seekers can complete interview preparation within 2-weeks for those 20 basic interview questions. Now with interview preparation complete, candidates should be confident and be able to control an interview. Continue with general interview preparation until a real interview is scheduled then just focus preparation on the specific job opportunity and company.

Follow these five steps and you’ll accelerate your job search. You’ll quickly find work even in the worst economy in the last 25 years.

A resume is a tool to present and effectively sell a person’s most relevant and positive credentials for employment. It is a document to market your personality, accomplishments, and experiences to a company. An effective resume gets you an interview that is why it must be properly organized and developed in an appropriate format to entice hiring personnel to invite you for an interview.

Below are 10 effective resume writing tips to help you generate interview offers:

1. Use job titles and headings that relate to the job you desire. Determine your career accomplishments prior to writing the resume. You can easily organize and structure the content of your resume when you already have a specific accomplishments at hand. Writing a resume with no clear purpose in mind will leave your resume vague and unfocused.
2. Make sure your resume is easy to read. Construct your resume to read easily. Remember that hiring companies have a lot of resumes to review, so create one that helps the reader scan your resume efficiently and effectively. Type your resume using a standard font type, such as Arial and Times New Roman.
3. Use a design that grabs attention. In order for you to entice a potential employer, your choice of resume design should also be taken into consideration. The first thing that employers notice when scanning resumes is its design and format. The design of your resume must direct attention at the same time showcase your skills and accomplishments. Also, do not use fancy design details as hiring personnel might not consider your resume. Make it formal but not boring. The resume must also be error free with consistent formatting.
4. Create powerful content that sellsWhat really matters for potential employers is the substance and depth of your resume. The design grabs attention, but powerful content, which quantifies your achievements, can generate more interviews.
5. Organize the content of your resume. Put the most important information first. Prioritize data according to their importance, impressiveness, and relevance to the job you are applying for.
6. Analyze job ads to identify top skills that potential employers need. Review job ads in order to match the needs of the hiring company. Read the company description and use keywords listed in employment ads. Remember that the job description is the key element in making an effective resume. A tailored resume for a specific position can definitely increase your chances of getting interviewed.
7. Highlight and sell the benefits of your skills and accomplishments. Showcase the benefits of your strengths to potential employer. Determine which skills support your career accomplishments. Back up your qualities and accomplishments with real work experiences. That way, hiring personnel will be hooked and not be bored with the list of skills and qualities you provide.
8. Have someone else review your resume. Get an outside expert opinion on your resume before you send it to potential employers. You should always ask a third party to review and give comments because sometimes it is difficult for you to note all your accomplishments. You must encourage them to give feedback. Feedback will really help you discover things you inadvertently missed in your resume.
9. Use power or action words to make your resume stand out. Power words can add life and cause your resume to stand out. Action words that relate to the level of position you desired.
10. Consider getting professional help. Not all of us are expert resume writers and do not know how to organize resume content. You have the data but we know how to put it together to create a winning resume. You lack the knowledge to determine what information is relevant and essential. If you are having a hard time creating your resume or you are not getting interviews; you could consider seeking a professional resume writing service. There are both local and online options available, and the investment is almost always worth the money.

Job interviewing is a critical part of an individual’s job search. This is the time to sell your skills and experiences. It is critically important to practice prior to your interviews. Job seekers only get one chance during an interview. A job hunting Best Practice is to practice interviewing with a friend or career coach. This will help you prepare properly and get you focused on winning the interview for that perfect job.
1. Research the company before the interview.
You should be familiar with the company you are applying to. Review company profile, annual reports, mission, vision, and other relevant information that the interviewer might ask.
2. Practice with some common questions and answers.
Prepare and rehearse responses to frequently asked questions during interviews. Practice in front a mirror or with an audience such as your friends, family members or ideally an expert. They can provide feedback of what to do and not to do during interviews.
3. Respect the time of your interviewer.
Time is gold in every business or institution because everyone is busy with their respective duties. Arrive at least 15 minutes early. This way you will have time to relax and not look stressed before the interview as well as not waste the interviewer’s time.
4. Display confidence in your behavior and the way you communicate.
The interviewer can easily perceive if you are confident through your posture, dress, walk, energy, and eye contact. Greet the employer with a firm handshake. Let the interviewer start the dialogue and listen carefully. Always welcome questions with a smile. Before answering the question, think and develop answers in your head. Ask the interviewer to restate a question if you are confused. Most importantly, give honest and direct answers.
5. Demonstrate positive statements and attitude.
Smile, be polite, and try to relax during the interview. The attitudes that you express must express that you are willing to work. You must also exhibit willingness to expand your knowledge. You must remember that employers like to hear your plan for future development and commitment to learning.
6. If you have worked before, talk about what you have learned from it.
Review your previous work experience. Be ready to support past career accomplishments with specific information targeted toward the company�s needs.
7. Encourage the interviewer to share details about the company information.
Demonstrate your interest by encouraging the interviewer to share information about the company. This way the interviewer will appreciate your interest to the company and your willingness to be a part of their team.
8. Bring extra information such as a Personal Data Sheet or Work Portfolio.
An attractive personal data sheet or work portfolio provides additional information that your prospective employer might want to hold on to for future references.
9. End the interview positively.
The end of the interview is the time to let the prospective employer know if you are interested in the job or not. A positive end to the interview is a way of ensuring your success. At this time restate your strengths and accomplishments that you have emphasized during the interview. Express also your appreciation for the interviewer’s time.
10. Review and evaluate your interviews strengths and weaknesses following your interview.
Evaluating your strengths and weaknesses immediately after the interview. If you do not get the job consider asking the interviewer what you did well and in what areas you will need improvement.