Tag Archives: volunteering

6 Ways to Supercharge Your Resume

supercharge_your_resume_webYour resume is a key tool when it comes to your job search. It forms a potential employer’s first impression about you, usually within the span of just a few seconds. So, what’s the best way to create a positive, lasting impression that will land you the job? Here are six ways to supercharge your resume!

1.  Include skills summary.
Employers see a ton of resumes, so do something to help yours stand out from the rest. Include a brief summary of your top skills. This is your introduction to a potential employer. It doesn’t need to be anything long, but three to four sentences would be a great way to help them identify that you have the skills they’re looking for right off the bat.

2. Keep it focused and relevant.
Your resume shouldn’t be more than two pages long. You want to give an interviewer enough information about your work background and skills to schedule a job interview with you, not force them to read a novel. List the top projects you’ve worked on, share any awards and training you’ve received, and always remember to focus on the results. Also, employers want to know how you’re going above and beyond by volunteering in the community, so be sure to include some examples.

3. Include key words from the job description.
In reviewing the job description, what specific skills do you have that match what the company wants? Include those skills on your resume. Use some of the key words in the job description. This will help the employer see at a glance how you fit their needs. It also shows that you took time to review their job and you know what’s expected of the position.

4. Include power words.
There are certain words you can use in your resume that will also attract more positive attention. Employers are looking for individuals who exemplify a strong work ethic, a great attitude, and excellent communication skills. Incorporate words like leadership, professional, experience, reliable, and motivated. See a complete list of power words that will get you noticed.

5. Keep it simple.
A resume should be simple and clean. Start with a font that is readable. You can also use bold words, shading, and bullets to draw attention to key areas of your resume, but do so in moderation. For example, you can bold your name, address, and contact information at the top of the page or bold different headline sections. Use bullets if you want to make some information more organized, such as your work experience section. These are small ways to update your resume and make it stand out, without being overwhelming. But, be cautious about using graphics and logos on a resume, especially if submitting online because some databases can’t process graphics and your information might not get accepted. It’s better to save those items for your portfolio.

6. Keep it updated.
Be sure to always keep your resume updated. Start with your most current experience and chronologically organize from there. Ensure all dates are accurate, proofread for any typos, and check to ensure all of your contact info is correct.

How do you help your resume stand out from the rest? Share your tips in the comments section below!

Movin’ On Up is brought to you by Express Employment Professionals.

Are You a Job Search Zombie? Bring Your Job Search Back to Life

jobsearch_zombie_webThe fifth season debut of The Walking Dead has everyone talking, showing that the popularity of all things zombie is not going away anytime soon. And with Halloween right around the corner, the undead will be a popular choice for anyone dressing up for a costume party or a night of trick or treating.

Here are three job search lessons you can learn from the undead, and three reasons you want your efforts to find work to be full of life and anything other than zombie-like.

What Zombies Can Teach You

1. Move in packs
While zombies can be managed fairly easily one on one, when they arrive in large groups, they can use their numbers to have a greater impact. And when you utilize your network of friends and family, you’ll start to see a big difference in the life of your job search.

2. Never be satisfied
The undead just can’t seem to get enough, and neither should you. If you recently found a great job you’d like to apply for, t’s now time to put in the hard work of researching the company and developing your resume and cover letter to fit the specifics of the job description.

Maybe you just wrapped up a solid job interview and are ready to get back home and sit lifelessly on the couch. Resist the urge to zone out, and start writing your thank you note to those who you interviewed you. It will likely put you one step ahead of your competition.

3. No pain, no gain
How many times have we seen survivors of the zombie apocalypse make the mistake of attacking a zombie somewhere other than their brain? It’s well-known rule that a body-blow does nothing but slow down “walkers.”

Treat your job search the same way. Getting a “no” is bound to happen, and you’ll likely get several of them before you finally get a job offer. Don’t let the disappointment of not getting a job kill your job search. Susan P. Joyce of the Work Coach Café blog believes that a job rejection can be a move in the right direction. “Try to think of every rejection as bringing you one step closer to that better job that is waiting for you, just around the corner.”

Lessons for Keeping Your Search Alive

1. Zombies don’t require vital systems to survive
The undead are exactly that: dead. Other than the desire to feed on those lucky enough to be alive, they don’t have brain activity or a beating heart. Your search will take every part of you to be successful. When you put your knowledge, talent, and connections to work, you’ll have a great chance at finding your next job.

2. They have limited mobility
In most zombie apocalypse stories, the undead move very slowly and with a limp. If your most recent job search efforts sound anything like that, it’s time to change up what you’re doing.

Check out one of these five great job preparation interview apps available on most smart phones, or begin volunteering with a local charity and you’ll start to see your job search move much faster.

3. The undead don’t think critically
How many zombies have you seen walking around checking their Facebook or LinkedIn to see what‘s going on with their friends? Zero would be our guess. Put your healthy and functioning brain to work and think about the ways you can use technology to your advantage during your job search.

Avoid being a mindless, wandering job search zombie and use some job search tools you may not have thought about yet.

What else can the characteristics of zombies teach us about a job search? Let us know in the comments section below.

Movin’ On Up is brought to you by Express Employment Professionals.