Tom asks: Just about anywhere you go, on the topic of career development, you hear of the importance of maintaining your resume... Sounds like such a simple task but with the many formats available and broad audience that it may get exposed to, what is the right format? I would like to hear, especially from those in hiring positions, what opens doors? What catches your eye when sifting through piles of resumes? How does one determine what to include / exclude?
In Answer:
Two angles.....
1. Personally, I keep a journal and a "full-fat" Curriculum Vitae. It details far too much for a specific job or post application, but it keeps me up to date as to what I can write on to a CV/Resume to apply for a position. It also keeps me on track as to where I am heading - your last five years/two positions will dictate more about where you go next/are seen as credible, so focusing on that keeps me focused on development
2. A door opening CV/Resume is more about ticking all the qualifications and experience boxes in the first half page of your CV/Resume, than anything else. Hence, a great cover letter won't get you rejected, but will get your CV/Resume more likely read by the HR professional looking at a pile of applications
A good recruiting or head hunting company should be able to take a suitable set of skills and turn it into a great CV/Resume for a suitable job they have on their portfolio - hence, for those opportunities keep your CV/Resume fat as opposed to light. For direct approaches to companies, pay more attention to your cover letter and their annual report to be able to successfully open the door and get a meeting.
Good Luck, and if I can help further - please, just ask!
Showing posts with label resume. Show all posts
Showing posts with label resume. Show all posts
Tuesday, 15 July 2008
Tuesday, 17 June 2008
Cover Letters
Mohamed Asks: What are the most important 3 things that you need to cover in a cover letter? which ones you should absolutely avoid?
In Answer:
Write your cover letter as if you are responding to employer's questions - make it as easy as possible for them to read and to invite you in for an interview by:
1. Stating where you found position listing, and what position is of interest (they want to know how advertising is working)
2. Briefly framing your understanding of position (employers often have multiple position requisitions open at a time) and how you fit the job (how your skills fit within the context of the position)
3. State why you are interested in the company/position/industry in a way that adds value. Employers want a high yield rate of interviews to offers--showing that position is aligned with your goals and interests, and that you are familiar with the company can only help. (It's true that not all employers read cover letters, but do you want to take that risk?)
Things You Should "Absolutely Avoid"
1. Restating your resume (especially since you'll be including it, anyway). The cover letter should highlight your fit for the position, not serve as a second summary of all your skills and interests. (Again, the key is to make it easy for your employer to read.)
2. Using language that you wouldn't use in everyday speech. I'm skeptical, for example, of using words such as "liase" or "ameliorate"
3. Saying the position is a perfect fit for you--wait until you learn more about the company and the nature of the position within the organization
4. Raise ANY red flags (relocation/salary/benefits requirements or demands/Why you left other job/Personal life issues -relations,housing, income, health/Religious, political, race, gender, sexual, financial, lifestyle beliefs, etc, etc, etc!!!)
5. Forget to include a call to action - ask for the interview.
A basic style should include:
Paragraph 1: State why you're writing the letter. (position you're applying for, and an overview of the contents of the rest of your letter)
Paragraph 2: Describe why you're qualified. (Give an overview of the highlights from your resume, and explain how these have prepared you for the job you're applying for.)
Paragraph 3: Provide supplemental information. (Make it interesting. Examples of topics- why you want the job, why you chose this career, your philosophy relating to that profession, how you would go about doing a certain aspect of the job, etc.)
Paragraph 4: Sum it all up. (Conclude, express your interest in an interview, thank them for their time and consideration.)
Job searching is a process of mutual selection - what appears great on paper may not be perfect in person. The interview will be a chance for you and the employer to assess a potential match; the goal of the cover letter and resume is to land you the interview.
In Answer:
Write your cover letter as if you are responding to employer's questions - make it as easy as possible for them to read and to invite you in for an interview by:
1. Stating where you found position listing, and what position is of interest (they want to know how advertising is working)
2. Briefly framing your understanding of position (employers often have multiple position requisitions open at a time) and how you fit the job (how your skills fit within the context of the position)
3. State why you are interested in the company/position/industry in a way that adds value. Employers want a high yield rate of interviews to offers--showing that position is aligned with your goals and interests, and that you are familiar with the company can only help. (It's true that not all employers read cover letters, but do you want to take that risk?)
Things You Should "Absolutely Avoid"
1. Restating your resume (especially since you'll be including it, anyway). The cover letter should highlight your fit for the position, not serve as a second summary of all your skills and interests. (Again, the key is to make it easy for your employer to read.)
2. Using language that you wouldn't use in everyday speech. I'm skeptical, for example, of using words such as "liase" or "ameliorate"
3. Saying the position is a perfect fit for you--wait until you learn more about the company and the nature of the position within the organization
4. Raise ANY red flags (relocation/salary/benefits requirements or demands/Why you left other job/Personal life issues -relations,housing, income, health/Religious, political, race, gender, sexual, financial, lifestyle beliefs, etc, etc, etc!!!)
5. Forget to include a call to action - ask for the interview.
A basic style should include:
Paragraph 1: State why you're writing the letter. (position you're applying for, and an overview of the contents of the rest of your letter)
Paragraph 2: Describe why you're qualified. (Give an overview of the highlights from your resume, and explain how these have prepared you for the job you're applying for.)
Paragraph 3: Provide supplemental information. (Make it interesting. Examples of topics- why you want the job, why you chose this career, your philosophy relating to that profession, how you would go about doing a certain aspect of the job, etc.)
Paragraph 4: Sum it all up. (Conclude, express your interest in an interview, thank them for their time and consideration.)
Job searching is a process of mutual selection - what appears great on paper may not be perfect in person. The interview will be a chance for you and the employer to assess a potential match; the goal of the cover letter and resume is to land you the interview.
Is there a preference for two page resumes over three page resumes?
Troy asks: Like many people in the workforce, I've accumulated many titles and accomplishments over the years. As a result, my current resume is about 2 1/2 pages. At one point it was 3 full pages but I editted it to 2 1/2 pages. I don't know how I could get the resume to 2 pages without dramatically diluting my work history and qualifications summary. Is there strong opinion that 2 page resumes are significantly better than 3 page resumes? I'm assuming that the quality, format, and content are the not the issue here...just the length.
In Answer:
Simply - LESS IS MORE (relevant!) While I can appreciate candidates looking to keep all their skills and accomplishments, too much information allows the viewer to get distracted and lost within the resume. Keep in mind that a resume is only a quick summary of a candidates skillset, not a novel. 1-2 pages is plenty of information to offer. Rule of thumb, go back 10 years, or 3 positions ago only. If you need to delete information to make it shorter, then choose positions that aren't as relevant to getting your next job. I guarantee that if you shorten a resume to 1-2 pages, and streamline the information, you'll get more activity.
Presently, you are thinking about the CV/Resume representing you - so you are thinking how can I compress all that I have got down to 2pages? In actual fact, the CV/Resume sells you to the Recruiter/HR person for an interview - nothing more, nothing less, no greater. Only a call centre operative ever got a job thanks to a great CV/Resume - and even then they were telephone interviewed. No one will employ on the back of a CV/Resume - but they will interview
Now, accepting that - think about it from the Recruiter/HR person's point of view. I got a place that needs filling, and I have a pile of CV/Resume's - which one 's are you going to put in the call pile, and which in the thank you letter pile? Right, the one's which answer the questions and needs posed in the original advert! Are you actually going to on first review go past page1, and read all about the fact the applicant likes boating and wine, and 10years ago did something inside a company in the Mid-West: ah, nope!
Here's another thought: a 2page CV/Resume plus a cover letter is three pages - adding another page is four pages, and as they won't read past page1 of the resume on first past, what's the point of adding it? If you have to send in a 3page CV/Resume, write a great 1page cover letter which addresses all the skills and experience requirements in the advert, and makes you stand out - then they won't even read your CV/Resume, they will call you - the whole purpose of sending in a response.
I know this can get confusing, and I know this can get annoying, and I know this can hurt at a very personal level. But, all the CV/Resume does is get you an interview - a career portfolio is a whole different story, and should be taken personally: but both require honesty and accuracy.
If I can help you in any way, drop me a message - and Good Luck!
In Answer:
Simply - LESS IS MORE (relevant!) While I can appreciate candidates looking to keep all their skills and accomplishments, too much information allows the viewer to get distracted and lost within the resume. Keep in mind that a resume is only a quick summary of a candidates skillset, not a novel. 1-2 pages is plenty of information to offer. Rule of thumb, go back 10 years, or 3 positions ago only. If you need to delete information to make it shorter, then choose positions that aren't as relevant to getting your next job. I guarantee that if you shorten a resume to 1-2 pages, and streamline the information, you'll get more activity.
Presently, you are thinking about the CV/Resume representing you - so you are thinking how can I compress all that I have got down to 2pages? In actual fact, the CV/Resume sells you to the Recruiter/HR person for an interview - nothing more, nothing less, no greater. Only a call centre operative ever got a job thanks to a great CV/Resume - and even then they were telephone interviewed. No one will employ on the back of a CV/Resume - but they will interview
Now, accepting that - think about it from the Recruiter/HR person's point of view. I got a place that needs filling, and I have a pile of CV/Resume's - which one 's are you going to put in the call pile, and which in the thank you letter pile? Right, the one's which answer the questions and needs posed in the original advert! Are you actually going to on first review go past page1, and read all about the fact the applicant likes boating and wine, and 10years ago did something inside a company in the Mid-West: ah, nope!
Here's another thought: a 2page CV/Resume plus a cover letter is three pages - adding another page is four pages, and as they won't read past page1 of the resume on first past, what's the point of adding it? If you have to send in a 3page CV/Resume, write a great 1page cover letter which addresses all the skills and experience requirements in the advert, and makes you stand out - then they won't even read your CV/Resume, they will call you - the whole purpose of sending in a response.
I know this can get confusing, and I know this can get annoying, and I know this can hurt at a very personal level. But, all the CV/Resume does is get you an interview - a career portfolio is a whole different story, and should be taken personally: but both require honesty and accuracy.
If I can help you in any way, drop me a message - and Good Luck!
Wednesday, 11 June 2008
CV/Resume writing - house v an individual designer
Amanda asks: It seems like every online job site offers some kind of résumé-writing service to subscribers (for a fee, of course). What are your thoughts about going with one of those sites vs. using a smaller, direct writing/design service? Recruiters - have you seen any difference in quality? Job-seekers - do you have a preference?
In answer:
Firstly, its your CV/Resume - who ever writes it, its yours.
Secondly, depends on which job you are applying for and what your route is to that job. If the job is direct, then you need a CV/Resume prepared for that job; if its via an agency or head hunter, then they will write/rewrite it for you, under the explaination they can improve your chances because they know what the client is looking for.
Thirdly, depends on how long you have been in your last position. If you have been there a long time, then a review with an independent professional will get your CV/Resume in the right shape quicker (you may not recognise your own skills; you probably won't know what's required in the marketplace), than you could on your own.
Finally - depends on how well you can write!
Personally, as a business owner who has a CV/Resume writing service and who runs a separate Agency, I would always carry a general CV which fairly in your own view reflects your skills, capabilities and what you want to do next. The original question was posed as where would you get your CV/Resume written - the better question would be how do you manage your career, and that then answers where you get your CV/Resume written
In answer:
Firstly, its your CV/Resume - who ever writes it, its yours.
Secondly, depends on which job you are applying for and what your route is to that job. If the job is direct, then you need a CV/Resume prepared for that job; if its via an agency or head hunter, then they will write/rewrite it for you, under the explaination they can improve your chances because they know what the client is looking for.
Thirdly, depends on how long you have been in your last position. If you have been there a long time, then a review with an independent professional will get your CV/Resume in the right shape quicker (you may not recognise your own skills; you probably won't know what's required in the marketplace), than you could on your own.
Finally - depends on how well you can write!
Personally, as a business owner who has a CV/Resume writing service and who runs a separate Agency, I would always carry a general CV which fairly in your own view reflects your skills, capabilities and what you want to do next. The original question was posed as where would you get your CV/Resume written - the better question would be how do you manage your career, and that then answers where you get your CV/Resume written
Sunday, 8 June 2008
Cover letter do's and don'ts
Mohammed asks: What are the most important 3 things that you need to cover in a cover letter? which ones you should absolutely avoid?
Answer:
If I were to break a cover letter down into 3 things, here's what I came up with:
1. name/contact methods
2. what you are looking for and why, briefly!
3. how you can help solve the hiring managers problem and the qualifications to show that, briefly!
Don't to cover:
1. why you left other job
2. personal life issues -relations,housing, income, health
3. religious, political, race, gender, sexual, financial, lifestyle beliefs
BUT, the biggest mistake people make on cover letters: Sending one as a formality! Think about it this way- you're writing a LETTER to a PERSON explaining to them why you're interested in a job, and why they should be interested in you. If you think about it this way, you're letter will automatically be more interesting. You also have to know what your letter will be used for. Most busy hiring managers won't even look at your letter until after they've at least skimmed your CV/Resume (they don't have time). If they look at your resume and are still interested in you, they might read your letter for more information, or to answer questions they have about you, like "Why does he want this job?" A basic cover letter style should address:
Paragraph 1: State why you're writing the letter. (position you're applying for, and an overview of the contents of the rest of your letter)
Paragraph 2: Describe why you're qualified. (Give an overview of the highlights from your resume, and explain how these have prepared you for the job you're applying for.)
Paragraph 3: Provide supplemental information. (Make it interesting. Examples of topics- why you want the job, why you chose this career, your philosophy relating to that profession, how you would go about doing a certain aspect of the job, etc.)
Paragraph 4: Sum it all up. (Conclude, express your interest in an interview, thank them for their time and consideration.)
Answer:
If I were to break a cover letter down into 3 things, here's what I came up with:
1. name/contact methods
2. what you are looking for and why, briefly!
3. how you can help solve the hiring managers problem and the qualifications to show that, briefly!
Don't to cover:
1. why you left other job
2. personal life issues -relations,housing, income, health
3. religious, political, race, gender, sexual, financial, lifestyle beliefs
BUT, the biggest mistake people make on cover letters: Sending one as a formality! Think about it this way- you're writing a LETTER to a PERSON explaining to them why you're interested in a job, and why they should be interested in you. If you think about it this way, you're letter will automatically be more interesting. You also have to know what your letter will be used for. Most busy hiring managers won't even look at your letter until after they've at least skimmed your CV/Resume (they don't have time). If they look at your resume and are still interested in you, they might read your letter for more information, or to answer questions they have about you, like "Why does he want this job?" A basic cover letter style should address:
Paragraph 1: State why you're writing the letter. (position you're applying for, and an overview of the contents of the rest of your letter)
Paragraph 2: Describe why you're qualified. (Give an overview of the highlights from your resume, and explain how these have prepared you for the job you're applying for.)
Paragraph 3: Provide supplemental information. (Make it interesting. Examples of topics- why you want the job, why you chose this career, your philosophy relating to that profession, how you would go about doing a certain aspect of the job, etc.)
Paragraph 4: Sum it all up. (Conclude, express your interest in an interview, thank them for their time and consideration.)
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