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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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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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

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Common Resume Pitfalls

Most people who write their own resumes are unsure of how to best present their strengths, downplay their weaknesses, and appeal to employer needs. Common mistakes include the omission of important information and/or strategic sections, the inclusion of irrelevant (and/or ill-advised) details, a shortage of keywords, a failure to emphasize transferable skills, a lack of a specific career focus, and an uninviting page design. And, perhaps most critically, the majority of applicants write “task-oriented” resumes vs. “achievement-based” resumes.

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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Resume Expert Giselle Brown has helpful tips on how to add spice to your resume.

Trying to moving up that ladder into a comfort of receiving more pay. Job promotions usually mean greater opportunities, more responsibly and a sign of appreciation. In today’s competitive world, you will have competition. The question to ask yourself is “are you ready to compete?”

Studies have proven that an effective resume takes time and effort. One of the most important elements of your resume is “you.” Importing “you” on paper can be a challenge, however; it can be beneficial if you do some digging to appraise your achievements and uncover quantifiable results.

The first preparation for a job promotion starts the day you get the job, says Giselle Brown, Professional Resume Writer at A Customized Resume. “In most cases when promotions are being offered, companies are seeking someone who is accountable and dependable,” she says. “You must also show evidence of achievements and quantifiable results.”

Appraise your achievements

It is also important to conduct a self-assessment of your achievements prior to writing your resume. Many people jump right into a word.doc resume template and begin filling in the blanks. You must evaluate and analyze your achievements. Sell what you bring instead of telling what you bring. You can accomplish this by listing any prior promotions, awards, leadership skills, special projects, training courses, productivity numbers, charity or volunteer programs, etc. Be specific and focus on how you have contributed to the benefit of the company.

Quantify your results

When using quantifiable examples, your resume conveys a far more powerful statement.

Hiring managers want statements that tell how much or what effect you had on the organization. For example, Ms. Brown says, “instead of stating you improved productivity, state how much and what you did to improve productivity.” Be specific.

When your resume shows appraised achievement and quantified results, it becomes an effective marketing document that conveys results.

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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