6 Lies We Tell Ourselves About Job Interviews

How many hours did you spend researching that last car or flat panel tv you bought? How many hours did you spend practicing for your job interviews? We all know that many jobs and perhaps careers are won or lost during the interview process. You have a Great resume, Great cover letter, and Great attire. Win win win. Not so fast. If you did not prepare for the interview this will put you at a competitive disadvantage. So why not prepare? It really is pretty easy. Just requires some practice and time.(Editor's Note)

Lies We Tell Ourselves About Job Interviews
Guest Contributor: Michael Neece, CEO, InterviewMastery.com


I present frequently to groups large (200+) and small on job interview skills, and I am constantly amazed at the harmful lies people tell themselves about job interviews.

Few will argue about the importance of having a great resume; after all, it is the resume that generates job interviews. But nearly all job seekers minimize the importance of their own job interview skills. Minimizing the importance of interview skills reduces the probability of getting the job offer because it is only through an exceptional job interview performance that you'll get hired.


17-to-one is the ratio of job interviews to job offers during a recession. During a recession, the average applicant will interview for 17 different opportunities before he/she gets one job offer. When job openings are plentiful and candidates are in high demand, the ratio drops to 6-to-1, meaning it takes only 6 interviews to get an offer during the good times. The lesson here is that without interview skills, you'll waste 6 to 17 job opportunities before you get good enough at interviews to get an offer. (Article Continued Below)

Below are six lies (assumptions) we tell ourselves about job interviews:
"I'll do great on my job interviews because…"

1. I'm Great at My Job.
The skills required to get the job are fundamentally different from the skills required to do a job. If you have ever looked for a job you know this all too well.


2. I'm a Good Communicator
Being a good communicator is a good start, but most of our business communicating is one-on-one or in a setting where you are talking about work. During the job interview, you are often speaking with multiple interviewers and responding to thought-provoking questions about you and your talents. Convincing an interviewer of your abilities is a unique situation in the world of business communications.

3. I've Interviewed Hundreds of People
Being an interviewer is different from being interviewed. Just ask anyone who has been interviewed recently. I consult internationally to organizations on interviewer skills. I also present to thousands each year on job interviewing for the job seeker. While the interviewer and the interviewee are in the same room, each is playing a different role that requires different skills to be successful. It's a bit like dancing. One person leads while the other follows. The skills to lead are very different from the talents needed to follow. When each partner does his/her part, they dance beautifully. When the job applicant has the skills, he/she facilitates a conversation and usually gets the offer.

4. I've Had Many Practice Interviews
Learning by trial and error can teach you a few things about effective interviewing, but it wastes a lot of great job opportunities. Besides, practicing the same unproductive job interview ritual will only make you comfortable with ineffective habits that can really hurt your career.

5. Interviewers Have Interviewing Skills
Having traveled internationally to train interviewers, I can state with certainty that over 95% of interviewers are unskilled and have had no training on effective interviewing. That is exactly why interviewers still ask totally irrelevant and bogus questions like, “Tell me about yourself,” and “What are your strengths and weaknesses?” When an interviewer asks you one of these questions, you know they are completely unskilled at interviewing.

6. The Most Qualified, Get Hired Most of the Time
Eleven years as a recruiter taught me one truth about the job market: the most qualified person never gets hired. The reason is that who is the most qualified is a matter of interviewer opinions, assumptions, and personal bias. Additionally, a job description is actually a collection of guesses as to what the prerequisites are for a specific job. A job description is a way for the hiring manager to say, “I want to hire someone who has already done, many times, what I want him or her to do for me.”

To secure a great job, you can either continue lying to yourself and go through 17 interviews before you get an offer, or you can invest the energy to learn successful job interviewing and significantly increase your odds of getting a great job sooner.

Whether you try Interview Mastery or another job interview program is irrelevant. What really matters, is that you improve your interview skills. Common advice is everywhere on the Internet, but this common wisdom will only get you common results.

If you don't want to invest any money in yourself, at least make a list of the interview questions you expect and those that you fear. Then ask a former colleague to mock interview you using the questions you listed. Record the mock interview using audio or video. You may be surprised at how you actually sound.Remember, the job interview is the most important moment in your job search and in your career.

While your resume may get you to the interview, it is your job interview skills that will secure the job offer. Preparation and practice make all the difference in your performance because the most qualified person rarely gets the job. It's the person who interviews the best who wins the job offer.

Good luck on your next interview. You're going to be awesome!

Do you need to improve your interview skills? Learn More Here.

___________________________________________________

NYT: Job Hunting in the Digital Age

(Editor's Note) This article, from The New York Times by Tara Siegel Bernard, is targeting a younger audience, but the message is applicable to job seekers of all ages. It is important to understand that 21st century technology has changed job hunting strategies. If you are in a career transition and not paying attention to sites liked Linkedin or to keywords in your resume, you could be sabotaging your job search.

"Make sure you are carefully reviewing the job description and aligning your experience and transferable skills based on what the organization is looking for, said Mercy Eyadial, Associate Vice President of Career Development and Corporate Development and at Wake Forest University. If you don't, you risk not showing up in the list of potential candidates for consideration which is often based on keyword searches."

Read complete article here.

Click here for Insider Online Workshops and learn career transition skills from the experts.

What Can You Do To Keep Your Resume Out Of the "B pile" ?

Free Webinar: Stop Applying Online---Get Hired Instantly! REGISTER HERE

Whatever Happened to my Resume?

Astronomers define a black hole as a region of space from which nothing, including light, can escape. I have often heard job seekers refer to the application process as a “black hole where resumes go, never to be heard from again.” Did you ever wonder why this is? Considering the frustration that can result from the online application process, I would like to shed some light on what really happens when you apply online. Not only will this provide you with an effective strategy to increase the odds of getting your resume into the right hands, but it might actually increase your level of sympathy for the HR professionals around town – ok, maybe just a little!

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BOL), there are 6 job seekers for every opening. This is the worst ratio on record since the government starting tracking these numbers in 2000 and compares to a ratio of 1.6 to 1 in mid-2006. To gain an understanding of how this imbalance affects the hiring process, let’s take a look at what happens when a new job is posted.
NEW to INTERNS OVER 40? Subscribe to our newsletter - it's FREE


Today, each new job posting elicits an average of 300-400 resumes. Some companies use software that automatically screens resumes for relevant key words. However, most ( ex.San Diego companies) use an actual person to screen resumes. Therefore, assuming the average HR professional spends 20 seconds reviewing each resume, they are committing over 2 hours to the identification of the top 5-10 resumes. Multiply this by 10 or 20 positions – the average number of openings managed by each HR professional - and they wind up spending 20 – 40 hours just screening resumes!

And for those of you who know people in the HR profession, screening resumes is far from their favorite pastime! Keep in mind that this same individual is most likely responsible for tracking and organizing these applications through their applicant tracking system (ATS) which, in some cases, is nothing more than a file folder, an excel spreadsheet, ACT! or a simple Outlook file.

Is Your Resume A Mess? Learn More about the Killer Resume Workshop here   

It is now time to divide the resumes into the proverbial “A pile” and “B pile”. In some instances, there are literally two piles and in other cases, applicants are tagged as “hot prospect” (A) or “reject” (B) in the ATS. The all-powerful “A pile” represents candidates that were referred by an employee or “friend of the firm” and in some cases, it also includes the top 3-5% of online applicants. These “A pile” candidates will receive further consideration and perhaps even a phone call. The dreaded “B pile”, however, consists of the remaining resumes that will never again see the light of day! Unfortunately, if you were not able to secure an introduction into the firm, if you did not customize your resume to include the relevant key words, or if your resume does not offer that initial “wow factor”, chances are you will be sent to the “B pile”.

Once these piles are created, depending on the company, the HR professional will take one of two steps: she will either present these “A candidates” to the hiring manager for review or she will conduct an initial phone screen (in today’s market, the majority of first interviews are conducted by phone). Now the fun really begins! The next challenge facing the HR professional is whether or not the hiring manager provided enough detail and metrics to evaluate the applicants.

Assuming the answer is yes – and this is a big assumption – the HR professional then presents his recommendations to the hiring manager to determine which candidates will make it to the holy grail of job search – the in-person interview! Now the waiting begins. This waiting period may span from a few hours (not likely) to several weeks (a bit extreme). Once the decisions are made, the process continues with interviews, feedback, questions, more interviews, references, salary negotiations, background checks and finally – hopefully – an offer.

Meanwhile, back on the resume front, for those individuals whose resumes did not make it to the “A pile”, your poor resume is still sitting all alone in the company’s ATS, on their desk, in a file folder or in someone’s inbox. The odds of you getting an email – or heaven forbid an actual phone call – thanking you for taking the time to apply are minimal at best. In fact, while a few “best in class” companies will respond to each and every applicant, the average response rate to an online job application is less than 5%!

The first question, then, becomes: what can you do to ensure your resume doesn’t wind up alone in the “B pile”?

1. Apply only to those jobs where you possess 85% or more of the requirements.

2. Customize each resume to include every key word that is mentioned in the job description.

3. Develop a headline that provides a “wow factor”, uniquely defining your area of expertise.

4. Create 3 or 4 key sentences at the top of your resume to highlight your Unique Value Proposition (UVP).

5. Focus on promotions, results and direct contributions, not responsibilities and tasks.

The second question, and the one rarely considered, is: what can you do to ease the pain of the HR professional?

1. Focus on securing an introduction to the company through a mutual colleague; contact the hiring manager and/or HR professional to leverage the contact and get yourself on the radar screen.

2. Clearly indicate how your skills match up with the job requirements – don’t make them search for your relevant skills.

3. If you are unable to secure an introduction, call the HR professional and/or hiring manager 2 days after sending your resume, to ensure it was received; during this call, acknowledge that you are aware of the volume of resumes they have received, and request “5 minutes to provide 3 factors” that will demonstrate your fit for the position.

4. Send a thank you/follow up card by mail to the HR and/or hiring manager reminding them of the “3 factors”.

5. Develop a campaign to follow up with the HR and/or hiring manager on a weekly basis.

While the job market continues to have its challenges, developing and maintaining a consistent strategy will greatly increase your odds of getting your resume into the “A pile”. Today’s job market is about visibility and differentiation

Guest Contributor:Ken C. Schmitt
Turning Point Executive Search

Have you take 7 Minute Career Test? Its Free:). Take It Here.

Want to know how to improve your Next Job Interview?. Learn More.


________________________________________________

Over 50? Some Resume Advice for You!

FREE WEBINAR

Stop Applying online and get hired instantly. 

Stand out, get interviews and get the job. 

 RESERVE YOUR SPOT HERE

Whenever Rob­ert Skladany conducts work­­shops for job seekers over age 50, he hears one word again and again: résumés.


Among the men and women in these groups – some unemployed, others reentering the workforce – a common concern predominates. "They feel they are not at all familiar with contemporary résumés," says Mr. Skladany, vice president of research at Retirement Jobs.com in Waltham, Mass.
One man told him he had not written a résumé for 25 years. In that time, résumés have indeed undergone a transformation. Paper documents, once read and filed by people, have turned electronic. Often they are screened by an employer's automated applicant-tracking system. These changes call for new approaches on the part of applicants.

"Older workers don't understand the environment they're putting their application into," Skladany says. "They still expect an acknowledgment."

By 2010, 1 of every 3 workers will be over 50 years old. To help them remain competitive in the job market, career counselors emphasize the importance of a polished résumé. Rob­erta Chinsky Matuson, president of Human Resource Solutions in Northampton, Mass., advises over-50 job seekers to consider four questions: Does your résumé look weathered? Has it grown to three or four pages over time? Is your first job after high school graduation still listed? Are you still displaying the date you graduated from college?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, she says, it's time to redo your résumé.

Including graduation dates is the subject of debate among career specialists. "You shouldn't lie," Ms. Matuson says. "I am not advocating hiding your age. I'm saying, why broadcast it? The people who are screening résumés are 25 years old."

Yet others suggest that applicants include graduation dates. "If you're 50-plus, play it up in your résumé," says Chuck Underwood, president of the consulting firm The Generational Imperative in Cincinnati. Still other job counselors call the use of dates "very individual" and say, "Use your good judgment."

Many career specialists advise older applicants to limit a résumé to two pages and to include only the most recent 15 to 20 years of their work history. Earlier jobs can be summarized under a heading such as "Positions held prior to 1990," with a list of companies and titles.

Skladany avoids the word "experience." The emphasis today is on capabilities, qualifications, and achievements, he says, not previous titles, duties, and length of service.

Chronological listings on résumés have given way in some cases to formats that highlight skills. "In a chronological format, your most important or relevant experience might be three jobs back," says Shel Horowitz, a professional résumé writer in Northampton, Mass. "Companies may not get that far in reading."

In an electronic age, Jeff Benrey, CEO of Trovix, an online job site in Mountain View, Calif., underscores the importance of a well-formatted résumé. Many examples and templates are available on the Internet, he says.

He still receives an occasional mailed résumé. "In one sense, it's charming. 'Oh look, somebody went to the post office and mailed this.' On the other hand, it begs the question, 'how computer savvy are you?' You want to make sure applicants are Internet savvy and connected."

Being connected also means having a cellphone and e-mail. "In the absence of a cellphone and an e-mail address, recruiters assume technological ignorance," Skladany says. "If your e-mail address is currently fluffykittens6, don't use it. It should be mundane and professional."

"Show that you are up to date on technology, terminology, and industry happenings," says Julie Rains, a certified professional résumé writer in Winston-Salem, N.C. "Avoid references to out-of-date technology." As an example, she adds, "You might describe your computer knowledge as 'understanding of operating systems and electronic media' rather than 'proficiency with DOS and floppy disks.' "

For women over 50 whose careers have been interrupted by family responsibilities – child-rearing and elder care – Vicki Donlan finds that those experiences, properly described in a résumé and interviews, transfer into the workplace today.

"A woman's résumé must amplify her lifetime of experience – at home, in the community, and at work," says Ms. Donlan, author of "Her Turn: Why It's Time for Women to Lead in America."

She is currently advising a woman of 60 who owned a day-care center with her husband. He died suddenly, and she wants to parlay those skills into a corporate job. On her résumé, simply stating "Ran a day-care center with my husband" doesn't sound like a transferable skill, Donlan says. But bullet points of skills required for that role paint a different picture: "Dealt with state licensing. Helped children transition from preschool into public school. Dealt with different levels of management."

Whatever an over-50 job seeker's résumé does or doesn't include, Matuson puts it in a broader context. "You really have to focus on what your attitude is. Workers looking for new positions can come up with a million reasons why someone isn't going to offer them a job. They'll send out two résumés and not get a response and say, 'See, no one wants to hire me. I'm too old.' It's ridiculous. If you're 20 and send out two résumés, you're more than likely going to get the same result."

One way to counter age-related stereotypes is to accentuate your openness to learning, says Scott Erker, a senior vice president at DDI, human resource consultants in Pittsburgh. Mention courses you've taken and professional certifications you've maintained. "Companies want people who are willing to learn, adapt, and be stable, who aren't looking for the next job before they start this one." He finds that older workers are "not very aggressive" about emphasizing things they've done outside of work – volunteer work, travel, and diverse experiences.

Noting that the biggest obstacle older applicants face is discouragement, Skladany encourages an upbeat attitude.

"Be positive," he says. "You have no alternative but to be proud of your age and qualifications."

ADVICE FOR OLDER JOB APPLICANTS

Last month, Melanie Holmes, a 26-year veteran with Manpower North America, started writing about various workplace topics in a blog called Contemporary Working. She offers the following tips for over-50 job seekers:

• Flexibility is a big plus – emphasize that you can be open to a variety of scheduling, titles, consulting, etc.

• Experience is a given – provide details on your familiarity with processes, equipment, and systems.

• Past titles on your résumé may or may not be useful. Be sure to include a brief explanation of duties and related accomplishments.

• If you've upgraded your skills via a short course or certification, make sure it shows up on your résumé and in the interview.

• If you can work it into your cover letter, talk about loyalty, willingness to learn new things, and your comfort with technology.

• Try to limit your work history to what is relevant to the job for which you are applying. But, beware of leaving employment gaps – these can be a red flag to hiring managers.

By Marilyn Gardner
http://www.csmonitor.com/2008/0204/p13s01-wmgn.html


Job Interview Guide: Do You Need To Improve Your Interview Skills? Learn How.

Would you like to Create  Brilliantly Crafted Cover Letters?

___________________________________________________________

Common Sense About Resumes

By Larry Light

A number of recent articles, including one in the New York Times, “Can I Hire Someone to Write My Résumé and Cover Letter?” by the Ethicist, question whether you should write your own resume -presumably to show off your writing skills – or whether you ought to hire someone to do it.

Since I regularly write powerhouse resumes for people, I have a few simple answers to this dilemma:

• If you want to try writing your own resume, give it a go. Do it and begin submitting it to potential employers.
• If you get responses and get called in for interviews, your resume is doing its job.
• If you are not getting responses, find someone to write (or re-write) your resume, because the only job a resume has is to get you an interview when you submit it for a job opening.

Simple enough, isn’t it?

In terms of side-issues, such as showing off your writing skills, I find it far-fetched that employers will ever look at a resume as anything but material for deciding whether or not to interview you.

If writing is an important part of the job, they will assess that during the interview, maybe even asking you to write a short piece for them. The resume got you in, didn’t it, in the first place?

What employers are looking for is the best, the brightest, sometimes the least expensive candidate.

On average, more than 300 people respond to a quality job listing, but only 10% of the submitted resumes will appear “good enough” to be read by the hiring manager; that makes 30 competitors.Of those 30, maybe 2 – 5 will be interviewed.

So you have to be “best of class” or “better than” the others, and your resume must reflect that.

For those who prefer to leverage the accumulated knowledge and experience I’ve had over 15 years of career/job coaching with all levels of individuals, from CEO’s to staff, I offer a complete package that includes:

• A powerhouse resume
• Teaching you how to write a cover letter quickly that gets interviews for specialized jobs
• An hour one-on-one to prepare you fully for an upcoming interview
• An hour one-on-one to get you started correctly for networking (even if you’re shy or introverted)

Just send me your existing resume, and I’ll critique it to get started. I’m presuming you already have a resume; if not call, me at 949.716.3581. Or just call me if you have questions.

CLICK HERE to submit your resume.

10 Phrases That Could Kill Your Resume!

Are these just meaningless throwaway words like "I have great communication skills". So what?  Do you find yourself using these terms. These terms are probably not helping your job seeking efforts. So what should you do to avoid using them?(Editor's Note)

10 phrases You Should Ban From Your Resume:

   1. "I'm a Team-Player."
      This is one of the most over-used cliches, so try to find a way you can show that you are this team player. Did you collaborate with someone or with a department to meet an objective? Put that on your resume instead of a vague, cliched expression. Be detailed about your achievement.

   2. "I Have Great Communication Skills."
      Communication skills can mean so many things, which is why using this term on your resume only makes you lose your recruiter's interest. What communication skills did you use to contribute to your employer? Did you create a presentation, a press release or lead a conference call? State your specific achievement.

3. "I Have a Proven Track-Record."   So prove it! What did you do to give you this track record? Be specific, and try to quantify your impact; "I brought in 10 new customers, adding $50k profit for 2009" sounds far more impressive than some vague statement, and will help you stand out among the dozens of resumes.

   4. "I'm a Problem Solver."
      Everybody loves a problem solver, which is why so many resumes state this skill with pride. You can do better: tell your prospective company what problem you solved. Did you optimize a troubling schedule, did you solve an employee dispute or did you iron out a problem with a customer? Again, be specific to be memorable.

  5. "I Assisted In X Task."
      Maybe you weren't the lead on a particular project, but saying you "assisted" is the kiss of death for your resume. What was it that you did? Did you write a sales report or keep inventory? Write that on your resume with pride, and lose the "assisted" - you're better than that.

   6. "I Have a Strong Work Ethic."
      A strong work ethic - that sounds great, right? You're not the only one using this cliche, so freshen up your resume by stating how you go that extra mile. Did you take a class to improve your skills? Did you meet some really tough deadline? Show the hiring official what makes you this person with a strong work ethic, instead of using another cliche like your fellow applicants.

   7. "I'm Bottom-Line Focused."
      Another hollow term that is overused and now means nothing - so show what you did that added to the bottom-line of your company. It's very important to quantify for this skill: list amounts of money, time, or resources you saved or added to the business.

   8. "I'm Responsible For X."
      We're all responsible for something when we go to work, whether a janitor or a CEO. Drop this expression and just state what your job title is and what you added to the company's success. Cutting these clutter words will make your resume stronger and more to-the-point.

   9. "I'm Self-Motivated."
      What you're really trying to say is that you're not that slacker who clocks out at three every day, but this cliche is not going to help you get your point across. Find a way to show that you're self-motivated: did you overhaul a broken inventory system, or find a new way to expand your sales territory? Self-motivated employees find innovative ways to improve on what they've been handed - put what you actually did on your resume.

  10. "I'm Accustomed to a Fast-Paced Environment."
      What does this mean, exactly? Fast-paced work environments are the norm in this recession, where most people do more work for less money. To be specific, look at one of your busiest days in your (former) job. What did you accomplish, and how did you adapt to the obstacles thrown your way? Put that achievement on your resume to prove that you can adapt when challenged - a quality employers look for."
For the complete article by Claire Bradley, go to Investopedia.com

Get a professional resume from career coach/author Lawrence Light.


Need help to Create Brilliantly Crafted Cover Letters? Start Now,


Want to stop wasting time posting your resume to career sites? Start Posting Now?

8 Ways To Age Proof Your Resume

8 Ways to Age Proof Your Resume:

Preparing a resume that emphasizes your value is a good first step to preparing for your job search. Here are eight ways to age-proof your resume:

1. Don’t provide your complete work history: This is the number one mistake job seekers make. If it’s before 1990, employers probably don’t care. Hiring managers are most interested in what you did recently, so concentrate on your recent career. If you feel compelled to delve into earlier experiences, create a section called “Early Career” and provide just the highlights and no dates.

2. Watch your language: Avoid age-revealing statements such as “35 years of experience” or age-defining clichés such as “seasoned professional.”

3. Stick to a “combination” resume style, leading with a strong “Career Summary” section: You may have been advised to mask your years of experience with a functional resume format. But employers do not like to see functional resumes because they are often used by candidates who are trying to hide something. You don’t want employers reading your resume and searching for a possible problem. Unless your work history is extremely spotty or you are completely changing careers, stick to a chronological format.

4. Show that you’re current with technology and industry trends: Are you proficient with Wang or an expert at BASIC programming? While these programs were once cutting-edge, they have been replaced with new technology. Show that you’ve kept up with the times by removing antiquated equipment, programs, and tools, and highlight your knowledge of modern technology.

5. Consider dropping dates of education: This is a tough call, because hiring managers who want to know a person’s age will go right to the “Education” section and do the math. If your education occurred in the 1970s or earlier, it might be in your best interest to eliminate graduation dates.

6. Keep your school names updated: If you graduated from a school that has since changed its name, include the new name. If you are concerned about discrepancies in case an employer asks to see a transcript, write the former name of the school in parentheses.

7. Show that you’ve been continually learning or taking on new roles: The key is to demonstrate that your skills are fresh and in demand. It is important that you show that you are flexible and willing to adapt to organizational changes.

8. Quantify and expand on your achievements: As a professional with a long work history, this is your chance to accentuate the positive. You have what younger workers may lack — years of practical experience. Provide examples of how your performance contributed to your employers’ goals, mission, and bottom-line results.

Click Here to READ the FULL ARTICLE
Was this article useful? If so, subscribe to our newsletter to read more!

Source:Resume Power.com
________________________________________
Have you prepared for your Job Interviews like its the Super Bowl? Start Preparing Here?
Want to stop wasting time posting your resume to career sites? Learn More
Trying to figure out your next career? Free:Take 7 Minute Career Test

Older Job Seekers:Top 5 Resume Myths De-Bunked

 It can be very confusing for an older job seeker to prepare a "perfect resume" in today's world. So I ask the thousands of recruiting experts and career coach's what should an older job seeker do? Are they really myths or just misplaced confusion? (Editors note)


From screening job applications to conducting interviews, hiring practices have undergone a dramatic transformation over the past decade. Despite all the changes, common resume myths continue to plague job search practices at all levels. The article attempts to debunk some of these myths.

Myth 1: It's all about the number of pages

The one-page rule is probably the most common myth about a resume. Candidates, even senior executives, use microscopic fonts, leave off important information, use 0.1 inch margins, and resort to a myriad of unhealthy practices -- all in an attempt to restrict their resume to just one page.

Many well-meaning college counselors advise their students to be concise and limit their resume to one page. That was important when you were a student with little or no experience, but why subscribe to the same wisdom after rising to the ranks of a senior executive.

There is an opposing viewpoint. Some job seekers mistakenly believe that if they can somehow balloon their resumes to four or five pages, they will probably be considered for higher-paying positions. What? Will someone offer me $250,000 simply because my resume is ten pages and redundant to the point of boredom?

Content rules. The quality of experience should influence the length of the resume, not hearsay. If you have held only one job, then don’t try to create a five-page resume, but if your background merits a lengthier resume then don’t use eight point fonts in a desperate attempt to fit everything on one page.

If you are too concerned about the length of your resume, consider creating a one- or two-page resume with additional pages serving as an appendix or addendum. I have done that for many researchers and academicians. The first few pages focused on their background, while their publications and presentations were presented as an appendix.

Myth 2: Make up that degree -- no one will know

Lying on a resume is the worst mistake a candidate can make. Even if you pass the background check (very unlikely considering how sophisticated background checks have become), a savvy employer will discover the deception within days, if not sooner.

Apart from the legal ramifications, we live in a professional world that is influenced by social media. At the touch of a button, HR managers across the country can discuss their experiences. Maintaining a good reputation is more important than ever.

Myth 3: Your resume must have an objective

“Seeking a position that will be beneficial and mutually rewarding … and will make use of my experience and education ....” If that is your idea of an objective, don’t bother using one. Every inch of resume space is precious. Don’t waste it on generic information that can be found on almost every other resume. Every word, every character that appears on your resume must position you as the perfect candidate for the job.

Of the 5,000+ resumes I have written, I may have used an objective for maybe a handful of candidates. In place of objectives, I often used what many experts call “branding statements” or “headers”. The concept can be explained with the help of an example.

In the case of a clinical researcher, for example, a generic objective would be as follows:

“Seeking a mutually beneficial position that will make use of my 10+ years’ experience in clinical research.”

An improvement would be:

Harvard-Educated Clinical Researcher with 10+ Years’ Professional Excellence

Worked with top five pharmaceutical companies. Leveraged clinical expertise to manage three blockbuster, multi-billion dollar molecules from Phase I to Market.

The generic example does almost nothing to position the candidate but the refined version, in addition to serving as an objective, brings out three to four prominent strengths and an overall value proposition.

Whether you decide to use an objective or a positioning statement, refrain from presenting generic arguments.

Myth 4: Your references must be listed on the resume itself

Normally, a separate page is used as a reference sheet. This not only protects the privacy of your references (imagine posting their contact information on every job board), but also makes the screening professional’s job a little easier.

Myth 5: I can use the same resume for multiple job targets

If your current resume focuses on your laboratory background, please don’t send the same resume for marketing positions. It is understandable that you may qualify for multiple positions or be interested in pursuing alternate careers. If so, try to create a customized resume for each job target.

When it comes to a resume, never follow the “one size fits all” approach.

- Nimish Thakkar, Career management coach and CEO of a ResumeCorner.com


Would you like to Create  Brilliantly Crafted Cover Letters? Learn More.

Would you like to Create a Better Resume?

_____________________________________________________

Professional Resume in Less than 10 Minutes!

Click Here to Get Started!

Quickly Create a Professional Resume in Less than 10 Minutes
The Resume Builder allows for anyone regardless of skill level to create professional, dynamic resumes and cover letters in minutes. There are no hard to use templates and no complicated programs to learn and install. You will be guided through a simple step by step process, with our easy to use resume wizard. Your Professional Resume combined with your new Cover Letter will have you interviewing for your dream job in no time.
Professional Results
Create a professional, edited and formatted resume in less than 10 minutes. Easy to edit and update, quickly makes changes and add or delete information.


 Click Here to Get Started Now! (TP)

Want to improve your Resume and Cover letter?

_______________________________________________________

Instantly Create Cover Letters :

The new software program that automates your job hunt with the letters that get you interviews - instantly creates powerful cover letters in most any email or word program! Create brilliant custom letters for your resumes and job interviews.

Instantly create the perfect cover letter in your email
or most any word processing program!

Learn  More:

Order one click cover letter now


 Write better cover letters today- click here
 
Cover letters from the
Job Hunting Authority
and Best Selling Author:
Phil Baker

"Career Comment of the Day": Should a Cover letter be Very Brief?

Personally I would say neither. As a recruiter I see a whole lot of CVs and all I want to do is get to the evidence in the experience that shows me you are likely to be able to do the job in question. There is an element of personality that comes across in the way the experience is written and its focus can give a better insight into style / motivators than subjective statements, but really at CV stage I'm interested in the hard facts and will work through competencies, motivators, etc, etc in interview.

I realize the opening statement / objectives are designed to help differentiate and give a summary of what you can offer, but more often than not they all essentially say the same thing. Equally, the CV is that summary and the best differentiators are in the evidence in the detail.

I would also advise to keep cover letters (unless specifically asked for) very brief and adapt your CV for each application, highlighting your most relevant experience for that specific role. In my experience, cover letters are often ignored (especially if too wordy).

I agree you should keep your CV in a very easily readable layout - use bullet points, white space, etc....someone running through a large number of applicants will need to be able to easily find the relevant detail.

All this said, everyone reads applications differently. I would suggest that if you are applying over a website, or to an anonymous email address / HR or recruitment contact then the experience on the CV is key and statements / objectives / cover notes are more likely to be ignored. If you are applying direct to a hiring manager then, in my experience, there is no 1 right solution - some like to see additional notes and pay attention to personal statements, others don't...


For Helpful Hints Read the Full article:


Career Comment of the Day by:
Ewan Henniker-Smith
Resourcing Manager at Allianz

submit here a post for Career Comment of the Day

Weekly Best of Career Transition Articles

01/22/10 Readers weekly choice of the Most Read Career Transition Articles. (or how to quickly find out the best of Internsover40).Grab a cup of coffee. Put on your favorite Weekend Tunes. We are giving you a chance to catch up on your weekly reading and viewing with a list of the most popular Stories on Interns over 40. These are the the top 4 stories that your peers have read this past week. Hope you find them valuable. We look forward to reading your comments.

1. Mistakes  Older Job Seekers  Make:http://internsover40.blogspot.com/2009/11/7-mistakes-job-seekers-over-50-make.html
   
2. Where are the Jobs in the Next Decade:http://internsover40.blogspot.com/2010/01/where-are-jobs-in-next-decade.html
   
3. Interview Questions and Answers For Older Worker: http://internsover40.blogspot.com/2009/10/8-interview-questions-answers-for-older_31.html
4. 10 Ways to Make Your Cover Letter Stand Out:http://internsover40.blogspot.com/2009/12/10-ways-to-make-your-cover-letter-stand_10.html
   

New Career Transition Tools:


Job Seekers:
Post your Resume and Search for new careers or new industry: 
http://ow.ly/ZwE7




Employers:
Post your Internships (North America Only):
http://ow.ly/ZwFY

 Best wishes for a very relaxing weekend with your family and friends. 


Related Tools:
Save Time Creating Brilliantly Crafted Resume Cover Letters (TP): http://ow.ly/ZwHd

Would you like to ACE your Next Job Interview?:   http://ow.ly/ZwHU 




www.internsover40.com
Join:
www.twitter.com/internsover40

Volunteering Can Boost Your Resume!

With the unemployment rate in the Silicon Valley climbing into double digits it’s important for job seekers to look at all of their options. New graduates are joining the ranks of the recently, and not so recently, laid off making the job market more competitive than ever.

Get a leg up by taking a side step in your career and increasing your portfolio, volunteer. One of the best programs that I have found for engaging in community outreach while receiving a paycheck is AmeriCorps.

Launched in 1993 AmeriCorps is best described as a domestic Peace Corps program. With the recent authorization of the Serve America Act, signed in April, the Corporation for National and Community Service (the parent company of AmeriCorps) has increased the number of AmeriCorps positions from 75,000 to 88,000 next year and 250,000 by 2017.

Along with receiving a nominal stipend during their service AmeriCorps members who complete their term are eligible for an education award that can be applied to future college tuition or to repaying federal student loans. Current legislation could raise that award from $4,725 to $5,350, the first increase since the program started.

President Obama’s call to service along with the desire to create positive community impact has created an era where “service is a cool thing to do” says Megan O’Leary, Development Director of City Year. O’Leary goes on to state, “Asked to step up and serve people are responding,” and they responding in numbers like never before.

AmeriCorps applications reached 9,731 in February, more than three times the number for the same month last year. Beach Pace, Executive Director of City Year (which exclusively employs AmeriCorps members,) remarked, “If I were 17, I would have a better chance of getting into Stanford than getting into City Year.”

Click here to read part 2 of this article

Career Transition Marketplace

New Career Marketplace:"How to" Tools and Fast Search

Want to quickly search for relevant articles. Just use our Search tools. For example if you want to improve your resume you can click below on "Search Articles:How to Prepare a Better Resume".  We have highlighted some third party tools (noted TP) that may help you find your new career or job. These tools are designed so you can PREPARE, FIND AND ACQUIRE a new career or business. We know some of you want to find a new job while others a new business opportunity. We as always wish you success finding "A New Career for The Skilled Worker".

Prepare Yourself for your New Career and Job Search:

• Take the Career Test for Free:7 minutes (TP)
• Does your career need a little coaching? (TP)

• Create a Better Resume:
• Search Articles:How to Prepare a Better Resume
• Create a Better Resume (TP)
• Instantly Post your resume to Hundreds of sites

• Create Cover Letters:
• Search Articles:How to Create Cover Letters
  
• Create Brilliantly Crafted Cover Letters (TP)
  

• Improve you Job Interview Skills:
• Search Articles:How to improve Job Interviews
• Job Interview guide (TP)
• Ace your next Job Interview (TP)

• Create and Manage your Personal Branding
  
• Search Articles:How to manage Personal Branding
• Create your own Personal Brand with some expert assistance(TP)

• How to handle Age Hiring Bias
• Search Articles:Understanding Age Hiring Bias
  
• Search For A New Career Or Job:
• Search Interns Over 40 Internships, Volunteers and Job Listings(TP)
• Job Seeker:Create a personalize career transition center

Business Opportunities For Entrepreneurs:
• Home Based Businesses: Earn Money while you are looking for your Dream Career (TP below)
  
• Home Based Jobs
• EBAY Home Business
• Real Estate Repossession
• Photo Business
• Secretarial Service
• Online Businesses (TP)
  
• Making Money Blogging
• Legit Online Jobs
(TP) are third party products and services

Real person. Real Internship Job: This is a Wake up when an internship changes your Career. Listen closely.

This video is not slick,but if you've wondered what resume building is about. Check out this woman's story!