6 Frequently Asked Questions About Resumes

6 Frequently Asked Questions About Resumes What is the best practice for writing a resume? There are lots of common questions that arise when it comes to writing one, so we thought wed provide you with the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions to do with resumes. Hopefully these can be of some help! 1) How long should my  resume be? Recruiters receive a high volume of resumes for each role, so its important that yours is  scannable and they can make their mind up about whether they are interested in yours quickly. Limiting yours to 1-2 pages is probably best, however it is important that you include all of the information that you feel will be relevant to your job hunt, so it is important that you do not feel restricted. Bullet points and subheadings can help to cut down the length and makes it easier for recruiters to identify the information they are after. 2) What should be included in my resume? Your resume needs to provide employers with a well rounded idea of your professional experience and career to date, highlighting all of your relevant skills and achievements. Some choose to write a short personal summary introducing who they are, where their experience lies and what kind of career step they are looking to make next, which is great for giving your resume a personal touch. The key information that should be included on your resume are contact information, previous work experience, education, your top accomplishments and relevant skills. Including keywords that have been used in the job description will help to ensure your resume is flagged up when resume scanning software is used. 3) Should my resume be written chronologically or functionally? The format that you use for your resume really depends on where y0u are in your career and the relevance of your past experience for the role you are applying for. A reverse chronological resume is the most popular format to use and lists your previous work experience from the most recent, to the oldest, along with information about your responsibilities and achievements within each role. This format works well for people who have already established their career and are looking to progress in the same sector; rather than people who are looking for their first job  or changing careers. A functional resume is much more skills based and places focus on the information that is most relevant to the particular role. The main substance of your resume should be a list of your top  achievements and experience that is most pertinent to the job.  You should still provide a summary of your work experience, however this can be placed lower down on your resume; allowing you to be a bit more discreet about any employment gaps or a lack of professional experience. 4) How should I handle employment gaps? The likelihood of an employment gap damaging your chances of landing a new job really depends on how long ago it was and how long it was for. If the period of time was years ago and youve been back in work for some time, it really isnt anything to worry about and will probably go unnoticed. On the other hand, if your break in employment has happened more recently, which has spanned over several months or even years, then you may want to think about how you can explain this in a way that wont hinder your job hunt. Think about what activities youve got involved in during that time and any unpaid experience such as volunteering or community projects that you can use to fill the gaps. You may also wish to provide a brief explanation about any gaps in your cover letter when you apply for a role. 5) What if I have no experience? If youve only just graduated or are looking for your first job, you may feel like you dont have any work experience to list on your resume. The key to this is showing passion and elaborating on the skills that you have developed throughout education and other non-professional experiences. By writing an enthusiastic personal summary, you can demonstrate that you are driven and focused on building a career within a certain area. You should then provide a list of all of your qualifications, hobbies and past projects that have allowed you to develop transferrable skills that make you equipped for the job. Even if you have no formal work experience, volunteer work and undertaking projects at school/uni allow you to develop skills in areas such as customer service, time management and team work that will benefit you professionally. 6) Should I tailor my resume? Yes, what works for one role may not work for another, so making alterations to your resume for particular roles can boost your chances of being considered for the job. You can do this by reordering information on your resume so that the most relevant experience is highest up on the document or by rewording information so that keywords used in the job description are featured.  When doing this, you should read the job description thoroughly and match up the requirements with the experience that you possess. [Image Credit: Shutterstock]

How to Use Resume Templates For Microsoft Word

How to Use Resume Templates For Microsoft WordWhen you are working on a resume for Microsoft Word, it is going to be very hard for you to understand the layout of the various template features that are available. This is because a resume is different from other types of files. Word can only work with those things that are built into the program itself. With that said, here are the details on how to make the most out of the resume templates that are out there today.The first thing that you are going to want to do is get into the idea of getting custom designs. When you are trying to figure out which templates are best, you need to take a look at the basic features that are available. For example, you can choose what type of fonts are going to be included in the file. You should also think about the aspect of the graphics that you would like included.There are many different ways to customize these templates. You can get as creative as you want and customize all of the graphics. This w ill allow you to put a great deal of work into making your resume stand out among the others.Another option that you have is to find resume templates that are already formatted as word documents. You can even download these files from the internet if you want to do this. While this is not always an ideal option, it is sometimes the best option. This is because the only disadvantage of doing this is that you are limited by the size of the document.Word does allow you to add more than just the usual headers and footers that are typically included in the file. You can also add headers and footers to the content of the document. This will allow you to easily add information in the right places without having to worry about having it clipped off when it is printed.While it is not always possible, you can always make the most out of resume templates that are formatted to print on letter sized paper. When you are going to be working with letter-size paper, it is important that you use temp lates that are going to fit into this format. Otherwise, you are going to be printing the wrong things.Finally, the best way to get started on resume templates is to use one that is already completed. These are the ones that are going to work the best because they have already been designed in Word to match the actual formatting that is being used on the computer. They have been created by professionals, so they are sure to get the job done properly.This is why you need to get into the habit of using templates for Word instead of trying to figure out how to create them yourself. You can actually turn to these templates if you are unsure about how to properly format one for your resume. You might find that it is much easier to follow the instructions of someone who has already done it before you.

6 Social Media Tips That Will Increase Your Website Traffic - Classy Career Girl

6 Social Media Tips That Will Increase Your Website Traffic So you spent the time and money investing in an amazing website and you were so excited to launch and show it off to the world….but the launch day came and went and now you’re sitting here staring at your website wondering how the heck you’re going to get people to actually see it. You have the awesome platform online to showcase your abilities and talents….but no one is seeing it. How can you target your ideal audience and help them reach their goals if they don’t even know you’re a thing? You, my friend, are not alone. I see so many business owners struggle to drive traffic to their website and it breaks my heart. Don’t get me wrong, it takes time to build up that momentum and brand awareness. However, there are things you can do today on your social media platforms to help increase your website traffic. 6 Social Media Tips That Will Increase Your Website Traffic 1. Be Consistent Make sure that all of the social media platforms you use for business are on brand. Use the same brand colors and style on each one so they’re all consistent. Consistency creates trust. Plain and simple. Being consistent on all of the platforms will also help create brand awareness so that when your audience starts to see your content pop up, they’ll instantly know it’s valuable because they’ll remember who wrote it. Think not only colors but the tone of voice and personality. You don’t want to come across all dry and serious on one platform, then fun and bubbly on the other. These don’t match up and will raise a red flag with your followers. Tip: Go view all of your social media accounts in an incognito tab so you can view them as a visitor would see them and make sure you’re coming across consistently on all of them. 2. Use Keywords in Your Bios Each social media platform has a “Search” feature so when you use keywords that your target audience might be searching for, in your bio, you have a better chance of showing up in those search results. Using keywords in your social media bio is also an awesome way to let people know who you are, what you do, who you help, and where you’re located at a SUPER quick glance. You don’t want them to get to your profile and get frustrated because they can’t figure out what you dothat never ends well. Tip: Don’t just use keywords around your business name or job title, but include what you do and your location. Like for example: “Squarespace Web Designer,” “Newborn Photographer in Buffalo, NY,” “Social Media Manager + Blogger.” 3. Take Advantage of Call to Actions Sometimes all our audience needs is a clear step to take. Don’t be afraid to say things like “Check out my blog post” or “Check out my website for more info” and link to your website. Sometimes all our followers need is a little nudge in the right direction. Tip: Include a call to action in your next social media post, whether it’s Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter. Post a little teaser blurb and have them click to your website for more information! 4. Link Your Business and Website URL on Your Personal Facebook Page If you’re in Facebook groups or are engaging with potential customers/clients on Facebook with your personal account, you’ll want to give them easy access to your website. I can’t tell you how many times Ive come in contact with someone on Facebook, wanting to learn more about them and their business but I can’t find their website URL anywhere. It’s also helpful for when your family and friends are recommending your services/products to people. They could point that potential customer/client over to your Facebook profile and then they can jump right onto your website. Tip: Edit the information on your personal Facebook profile to include your job title, your business, and your website URL. [RELATED: What Your 2017 Social Media Strategy Should Look Like] 5. Social Media Sharing Friendly If you’re blogging and posting really helpful or interesting content, you’ll want to make sure that you make it easy for your website visitors to share. If one person shares your blog post then all of their followers will be able to see it. Now if one of those followers share it, then the followers of that follower are able to see it too. This is how content goes viral…..all from a share. It’s a chain reaction. Tip: Make sure you have social media sharing buttons on your website and that they’re very obvious. If your visitors have to take an extra minute to find your sharing buttons….forget it. They don’t have the patience to search for them if they’re not obvious. Ya gotta make it easy for them. ALSO: If you can show “social proof” aka how many shares a post received even better. People are more likely to share content that other people deem “shareworthy.” 6. Join Facebook Groups + Pinterest Group Boards Facebook groups are awesome for 2 things; connecting with your ideal audience and connecting with people in your industry. No matter how you look at it, Facebook opens the door to potential collaborations, projects, and….website traffic. Tip for Facebook Groups: Go to Pinterest and type in “Facebook Groups.” You’ll be hit with a ton of articles outlining a ton of different group options. Read the descriptions of the groups and join a few that you would be interested in. Once you’re accepted into that group, read the rules, and if the rules allow….introduce yourself. You can also see if they have any promo threads where they allow you to link to your website and blog posts (Utilizing these threads have driven a ton of traffic to my website). Pinterest Groups are perfect for getting your content in front of more people. When you’re part of a Pinterest Group Board not only do your followers see your pins but so do all the followers of that group board…..and some group boards have like, thousands of followers. The more eyes on your pins and your content, the more likely you’ll get clicks and traffic to your website. Tip for Pinterest Groups: Go to PinGroupie and use their search tool to find active Pinterest group boards you can join. Go to that Group Board page and read the description. It will usually have directions on how to become a contributor. Stay consistent, be social, combine these tips and you’ll be well on your way to increase your website traffic!

How to Rehearse For A Job Interview - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

How to Rehearse For A Job Interview - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career Practice makes perfect, particularly when it comes to the job interview. Nobody wants their responses to sound canned during an interview, but they also don’t want to fumble over questions, which is why career experts say it’s important to rehearse ahead of time. That doesn’t mean you have to memorize your answers to every imaginable interview question, but you do want to be able to talk about your skills and work experience without tripping up. “Your goal isn’t to develop pat, ready answers to every question,” says Sue Campbell, owner of 1-Writer.com, a career strategist company. “The goal in doing mock interviews is to raise your confidence level, to familiarize you to the interview process, and to develop an ease that will enable you to manage this type of situation to the best of your abilities so that you and what you bring to the table can really shine.” According to career experts the first step in practicing for a job interview is to find someone to rehearse with. Your spouse or friends are options, but ideally you want to use someone in your professional network who has knowledge about the type of position you are interviewing for. You also want someone that will give you unbiased, constructive criticism. “You want to rehearse with someone who will give you objective feedback about how you are coming across and can give you pointers on things you need to work on,” says Pamela Skillings, co-founder of Skillful Communications. If you can’t find someone to practice with, career experts say to record yourself on your computer, tablet or smartphone to identify any aspects of your behavior, verbal skills and body language that need improvement. If you don’t want to record yourself, at the very least, practice in front of a mirror. How you practice interviewing also matters. According to career experts you want to make it as real as possible, which means you should dress as if you were going on the interview and act as if the person interviewing you is the real deal. Campbell suggests holding the mock interviews in an unfamiliar place at a preset time. “You need to come prepared with resume and references, and to negotiate salary, if necessary. Whatever you find to be the most difficult aspects of an interviewer situation should be touched on during the mock interview,” she says. While there isn’t a set rule in terms of how many mock interviews you have to hold, career experts say it’s a good idea to practice until you reach your comfort level. Don’t overdo it, even if you have a big interview coming up. Yes, you want to prepare, but you also don’t want to come off too polished or disingenuous. Once your mock interview is over, Campbell says to have your “interviewer” provide feedback on everything from whether or not you appeared nervous to whether or not you dressed appropriately. Since some initial interviews are conducted over the phone, Campbell says to hold at least one mock interview via phone. If you don’t or can’t rehearse for an upcoming interview, another way to prepare is to network with people that are doing the type of job you want and asking them for a few minutes of their time, whether it’s a lunch date or a quick meeting over a cup over coffee. By meeting with people in a similar position or at a company you would like to work at, you can gleam information about the skills, experience and training they look for in potential candidates, says Campbell. Before you start practicing, it’s a good idea to scour the Internet to come up with a list of interview questions. Websites like Glassdoor provide sample interview questions from a broad range of companies. Many companies also put up examples of the type of interview questions they ask, making it extremely easy for job seekers to prepare. Another option, according to Susan Ruhl, a managing partner at OI Partners â€" Innovative Career Consulting in Denver is to think of three to five stories from each of your past jobs about challenges you’ve faced, actions you took to overcome those challenges and the result of those actions. “When someone asks you on a behavioral interview tell me about a time you didn’t meet a deadline, you’ll have stories in your head,” says Ruhl. “You won’t struggle to find the story to tell.” Author: Donna Fuscaldo is a freelance journalist hailing out of Long Island, New York. Donna writes for numerous online publications including FoxBusiness.com, Bankrate.com, AARP.com, Insurance.com and Houselogic.com. As a personal finance reporter for years, Donna provides invaluable advice on everything from saving money to landing that dream job. She also writes a weekly column for FoxBusiness.com focused on technology for small businesses. Previously, Donna was an equities reporter for Dow Jones Newswires and a special contributor to the Wall Street Journal. Through the Glassdoor Blog, Donna will provide tips on how to find a job and more importantly keep it.

How to Write a Resume For a Cusotmer Service Job

How to Write a Resume For a Cusotmer Service JobResume writing for customer service job is very important if you want to be sure of your service provider's attention. There are certain things that you need to consider before submitting your resume.First, before you submit your resume to any service provider, you should read the terms and conditions of the company. If they ask you to provide a cover letter or personal statement, this is where it starts. Be careful not to overuse these kinds of documents.When it comes to your resume, it is a good idea to first write the company's name and phone number in the left margin or on the cover page. The person you are hiring will never ask you to call them again if you have provided this document. In addition, leave a place for a contact address at the bottom of the page. This will prevent them from asking you to call them again.You can also use a 'justify this document' button. This means that you are explaining your professional background a nd skills in detail. Be sure to leave an explanation about your skill set in your resume if they are hiring someone who can do a specific job.Be sure to include your objectives for each of the positions you are applying for. You must give reasons why you are interested in the job. These should be made clear from the very beginning. When you give a reason why you are looking for the job, it will make it easier for them to decide whether or not you are the right candidate for the job.When you send your resume, be sure to enclose a cover letter that explains what your intention is for the job. This cover letter should also be accompanied by your resume and any other needed documents. It is important that the person reading your resume also reads your cover letter as well.Since your cover letter should also explain how you have used your resume in your career to achieve specific results, this is one more reason why you need to write a cover letter. Include your skills that you have used in your career in your cover letter. It is a good idea to write a one-page cover letter when you send your resume.Writing a resume is easy if you are organized. Always be sure to follow the tips and guidelines above. Being organized is the key to having a great resume for customer service job.

Avoid These 3 Self-Sabotaging Social Media Mistakes - Executive Career Brandâ„¢

Avoid These 3 Self-Sabotaging Social Media Mistakes

Get Organized and Get a Job

Get Organized and Get a Job Recently I interviewed expert organizer Lisa Zaslow, founder of Gotham Organizers, on my SIRIUS XM radio show on the Martha Stewart Living Radio channel. She shared practical advice to help us all be more productive, more organized and less stressed. In case you missed it, Lisa offers these tips to help you get better organized for your next job searchOrganize your materials by grouping similar types of items together so you can quickly find what you need. Lisa suggests making filing names fun and inspiring. Instead of references use fan club. Label resumes as my brilliant career. Organize your time by keeping track of appointments, scheduling things to do, and noting times to follow-up with people. Lisa recommends some form of calendar, electronic organizer or day planner. Another great trip, rather than play phone tag, make scheduling easier by letting people know when you will be available. When scheduling activities, be realistic about how long things take and what you can accom plish rather than overextending yourself. Organize your workspace by feeding your senses. From fresh flowers, to a bowl or MMs to photos of your smiling nieces, anything you put in your space should inspire you and lift your mood according to Lisa. Even if your job hunt takes time and effort, you can have a workspace that energizes you.For more great tips, check out Lisas book, Cant I Just Shred It All? 101 Quick Tips to File and Find Your Important Papers. Share your organizing tips below as well. I welcome your comments and ideas!Stay tuned to Making A Living with Maggie and learn something new when it comes to your career. This week Ill share strategies for managing your personal brand with author and consultant Catherine Kaputa. Hope you can join me Friday at 4pm ET/1pm PT SIRIUS 112/XM 157!

Learn how to help your alumni get closer to their dream job in three steps! - Hallie Crawford

Learn how to help your alumni get closer to their dream job in three steps! There are many reasons people fall short of having a job they love. Common reasons include mental blocks, fears, or simply not knowing what that dream is in the first place â€" many things can get in the way of our identifying what we would love to do and understanding how to make it a reality. What often happens is that we get the advice to do what we love without practical, tangible steps towards how to determine what that is and how to make it come true. Here are  three steps and exercises you can use to help your alumni get closer to their dream job. 1. IDENTIFY THE RIGHT FIT FIRST. Many people come to career coaching saying, “I want to update my resume.” Then, when asked what kind of job they are looking for, they say “I don’t know.” When conducting a job search, you must be focused and clear about your end goal. You need to know, as specifically as possible, what type of job within what industry you want. Even better, which companies would be the right fit for you. EXERCISE: Make a list of the things you want to have in a job, based on past experiences (work, volunteering, even school). What have you have liked in those past experiences? Determine what you want going forward. What have you disliked? This is the beginning of a “Gotta Have” list, the things you know you must have in that next or ideal job. It can be anything from the right work environment, to your boss’s management style, to tasks you perform on a daily basis. 2. DETERMINE THE JOB REQUIREMENTS. What are the specific actions you need to take to hone your skills to land that job? What skills are needed? What experience or education would make you the most marketable and qualified for this type of position? Do not just take a class or obtain the skills without knowing how they will help you land that ideal job. EXERCISE: Find out which skills you need to obtain and how they will improve your chances by 1) conducting informational interviews with people in the industry and looking at the LinkedIn profiles of those in the field/role you want to be in. Look at the skills they have and find the themes across their profiles. Then, find the optimal option to gain those skills. Is it through volunteer work, freelance work, free online courses, or do you need to pay for a one-time class at a local community college or adult education program? 3. DETERMINE THAT RIGHT FIT BY ANSWERING THESE FOUR QUESTIONS: 1. What things do I do that when I do them I lose track of time? (To identify tasks you truly enjoy performing.) 2. Ask friends/family members/former co-workers, “What do I do better than anyone else you know?” (To determine your best/most valuable professional skills. 3. How do I define success? (This can help you determine what’s most fulfilling and rewarding for you and add to your list of criteria for a job, per above. 4. What assumptions are you making about your dream job or ideas do you have about it? Learn more about the dangers of that in this video.