A Customized Resume Blog

Even if you are the “perfect” candidate for a position, someone less skilled might get the job of your dreams because their résumé was written more skillfully. It happens all the time. Many people think that since they know their jobs well and have adequate (or even excellent) communication skills, they can prepare their own résumés.

But when writing about themselves, people tend to undersell the “product.” In addition, a full 98% of résumés created by unskilled professionals lack several of the most important ingredients. As a result, many opportunities are missed.

Some job seekers regard the résumé as “just a piece of paper.” But in today’s highly competitive job market, where the typical nationally advertised position opening will receive literally hundreds of responses, it takes an effective résumé to get interviews.

Think of it this way – a $1 bill and a $1,000 bill are both “just paper,” too. But like a résumé, their value is determined by what is printed on that piece of paper.

Your résumé is one of the most important documents you will ever create. This “make-or-break” marketing tool is what stands between whether an employer will call you for an interview or pass you by.

Giselle Brown
Professional Resume Writer
A Customized Resume
Career Directors International
314-324-5756

Authorized DISC Administrator

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Resume writing style and format has changed. As well as the driving factors that motivates recruiters and employers to contact you for a scheduled interview. Resumes of the past were written with an objective statement following a list of duties for each position. This is seen by most recruiters and employers as boring and lacks focus. Don’t let an “old fashion” resume style be the determining factor whether you get an interview call or not.

Recruiters and employers may have to go through hundreds of resumes and cover letters. Don’t think for a second that every resume and cover letter will get read from top to bottom before deciding if they want an interview or not. It only takes 15-30 seconds to decided if you make it or not.

To stay in this competitive job market you need know what drives recruiters and employers to select a candidate for a scheduled interview.

Hiring managers like to see on a resume:

• Be specific and list what job you want
• An increase of responsibility
• Short and sweet (easy to read format)
• Good descriptions of what you did and where (chronologically)
• Clear and accurate contact information
• Clearly written in response to the job posting
• Keyword match is critical
• Specific quantifiable achievements (think numbers)
• Education and certifications
• Use bold face to catch attention
• Specific accomplishments, outcomes, and achievements
• Ability to identify skill sets (at least 3 or 6)
• Easy to identify industry expertise
• Bullet points – they help to organize achievements – this also makes it easy on the eyes

Hiring managers do not like to see on a resume:

• Lengthy and boring
• Functional resumes – when you describe all of the your qualities, but do not tell what job they were used and during what time
• They do not want a career autobiography
• To general
• Not focused or specific to what the candidate is seeking
• Typos
• Randomly applying
• Inappropriate email address or voice mail message
• Too wordy – rambling on-and-on.

When preparing your resume be sure to keep note of these likes and dislikes from recruiters and employers. You want your resume to stand out and attract hiring managers’ desires.

Giselle Brown
Professional Resume Writer
A Customized Resume
Career Directors International
314-324-5756

Authorized DISC Administrator

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SORRY to hear about your job search. The market is very tough and difficult. Ten months is a pretty long time and I know it can be frustrating. This compels me to ask what your job search methods are. How are you seeking your new position? I know there are some creative ways to job search.

Social Networking
Online Networking
Job Banks
Recruiters
View Resume
Online Resume

I know you have excellent career achievements and credentials, so it makes me wonder how they showcase on your resume. Employers have cut cost and time when selecting potential candidates by building a keyword list. These keywords are designed to capture candidate’s resumes. The keywords are uploaded to a special search engine, i.e. Resumix . When a resume is submitted online it has to speak the same language as the employers preselected keywords. The more keywords you have better your chance of your resume making it to a human.

If you have been sending out the same document for 10 months, it is best to rewrite your resume. Sending the same material month after month will get boring and cause more frustration. This lets you know that something is missing. Rewrite your resume to target specific company’s desires.

Giselle Brown
Professional Resume Writer
A Customized Resume
Career Directors International
314-324-5756

Authorized DISC Administrator

Create your online career profile – Free

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As a professional resume writer I have seen resumes that are poorly written. What I notice what was missing are complete sentences. A resume needs to showcase what you did to achieve those accomplishments. Every word counts on a resume and they must be used wisely. Also in today’s competitive job market you want to be sure your resume has an attractive visual appeal. This will help your resume stand out from others.

Networking is good when you are looking for a job. Attend networking event or networking internet sites. You never know what someone else knows.

Giselle Brown
Professional Resume Writer
A Customized Resume
Career Directors International
314-324-5756

Authorized DISC Administrator

Create your online career profile – Free

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Jobless is worse…

Hiring managers like to see their candidates working rather than unemployed. Also, when updating your resume you will not have a gap in your employment history.

You can also use your “dead-end job” to gain new accomplishments and skills that can be added to your resume.

Giselle Brown
Professional Resume Writer
A Customized Resume
Career Directors International
314-324-5756

Authorized DISC Administrator

Create your online career profile – Free

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Hello, I run a resume writing company from my home. I really like your question. Being that I am a smaller company I felt I needed to share my view. What I like best about my services is I really take the time to get to know my clients as well as their desired position. I subcontracted for a bigger company before, and I was given a project with very little information about the client and the client’s objective. I was also told not to contact the client. I felt as if my hands were tied behind my back. I like to contact each of my clients. I take the time to hear their voice and really get to who they are. I may not be able to handle as many projects as most big resume companies, but I can say that each project I do is customized to around you and your objective.

Giselle Brown
Professional Resume Writer
A Customized Resume
Career Directors International
314-324-5756

Authorized DISC Administrator

Create your online career profile – Free

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College students/grads with little or no work experience would benefit from a functional style resume.

The benefits of a functional format:

Camouflages unstable history.
Helpful for recent grads with limited experience.
Reentering the workforce (different career)
Changing careers
Lots of volunteer experience - related to chosen position
Overqualified and looking for less responsibility

Elements of a student/recent grad resume:

1. Heading (contact information)

What to include for your contact information.

Name (first name, middle initial, last name) NO NICKNAMES
Street Address ( 234 Hallgate Ave)
City, State, Zip Code ( St. Louis, MO 63123)
Residence Telephone Number ( 314-345-6789)
Cellular Telephone Number ( 314-776-2345)
E-Mail Address (use appropriate e-mail address, acceptable format for e-mail address lastname.firstname@…)

2. Your Job Objective or Title Statement

Objective Statement
Your job objective is a brief statement that describes the kind of job you want. Many resume writers are against the use of an objective statement. Why, it is now seen by hiring managers as generic and self-focused.

Example:

Objective: To obtain a challenging position where I can utilize my skills and experience in the field of finance.

Objective: To obtain a position in which I could apply my variety of Financial, Customer Service and Sales skills.

The two examples above are telling the hiring manager what you want instead of what you can offer company.

Good Example:

Sales Representative to grow your customer base through telemarketing and networking.

Shipping Manager to support program development, team leadership and customer care.

Title Statement

Or you can use a Title Statement. Best to use if you know the needs of the company matches your experience. The title statement is clean, focused and can save space. This technique eliminates the use of an objective statement.

Ex: Networking Recruiter
Program Coordinator

3. Education / Academics

For recent graduates it is best to list education closer to the top to of resume. Why, your work experience will be minimal. You want to highlight your accomplishments in school as much as you would do for accomplishments at work.

You can include

Schools you have attended (include GPA if is 3.0 or higher)
Academic honors
Awards
Recognitions
Honor Roll
Essay writing awards
Science competitions

4. Work History

The work history section of your resume can also be title as:

Career Experience
Professional Experience
Professional Background
Experience
Career Highlights
Relevant Experience

What to include:

Title of position
Name of organization
Location of work (town and state)
Dates of employment

To highlight your accomplishments, it is much easier to think of any challenges your experienced during your first 30/60/90 days of employment. Ask yourself how you reacted to those challenges and what were the results of your actions. This will give you a good list of accomplishments, instead of a list to duties and tasks.

5. Additional Information / Extracurricular Activities (Demonstrate your uniqueness)

Key elements of your background that don’t fit in any other section such as:

Special skills
Leadership skills
Leadership roles
Volunteer experiences
Sports
Band
Yearbook
Clubs you belong to
Volunteer
Special interest

6. References

Be sure to ask people if they would serve as your reference before you give their names out.
Don’t include your references with your resume

Giselle Brown
Professional Resume Writer
A Customized Resume
Career Directors International
314-324-5756

Authorized DISC Administrator

Create your online career profile – Free

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The best suggestion I would say is to be consistent. Not sure if you are presenting your coursework as a recent grad or as something you have already done. You could present it something like this …

Master of Science, Marketing & Product Management, 1995-1997
Cranfield University, United Kingdom
Relevant course work: Marketing, Management, Economics, Finance, Research, Communications

This saves space as well.

Giselle Brown
Professional Resume Writer
A Customized Resume
Career Directors International
314-324-5756

Authorized DISC Administrator

Create your online career profile – Free

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A cover letter should serve two purposes…
1. A soft introduction of you
2. To get employers to read your resume

It should demonstrate that you meet and exceeded the job requirements and it should demonstrate that you are interested in the position.

The three elements a cover letter should have…
1. Why you want to work for that specific company
2. Why are you fit for the company.
3. It should communicate your interest in scheduling a one-on-one meeting.

Giselle Brown
Professional Resume Writer
A Customized Resume
Career Directors International
314-324-5756

Authorized DISC Administrator

Create your online career profile – Free

Suscribe to A Customized Resume Newsletter

Invest into Your Future

A professionally prepared resume is an investment in your future earning power and career happiness. A Customized Resume has the experience and skills necessary to present applicants from diverse industries, career fields, and experience levels at their very best. We know how to set you apart from the competition, ensure that your resume gets read, and prompt the reader to take action by calling you for an interview.

Giselle Brown
Professional Resume Writer
A Customized Resume
Career Directors International
314-324-5756

Authorized DISC Administrator

Create your online career profile – Free

Suscribe to A Customized Resume Newsletter