Preparing a great looking resume

There is no doubt how stiff the competition is when it comes to getting hired especially these days when even the most qualified person is getting laid off.

What can get you hired?

The only way by which you can get noticed, which is your first goal when applying for a job, is to have a great looking resume. A great looking resume is not a resume that is printed on colored paper. A great looking resume is one that speaks how qualified you are to the position that you are vying for. It will be able to tell the recruiters that you are what they are looking for. It is not only about listing down the experiences that you had in the past years. It takes more than that.

That is why there is a growing number of people getting Resume Writing Services. You would be surprised that even the most experienced person when it comes to work experience gets these services. Let us face it, we all have our strengths and weaknesses and it is so hard to put our strengths on paper. If we do not know what we are doing, we might actually be putting the wrong information on our resume. Getting services for resume writing prevents you from doing that. After all, your resume is technically the company’s first impression of you.

All it takes is a few seconds for a Human Resource personnel involved in the hiring process to scan your resume and put it in the reject pile or the “possible hires” pile. Thus, have a great looking resume ready, at all all times, even if you have to get resume writing services to have that.

Cover-Letter Writing Tips

When applying for a job, a cover letter should be sent with your resume. Your cover letter should be specific to the position you are applying for, relating your skills and experience to those noted in the job posting. An effective cover letter should tell the employer why you are writing, why you are the best person for the job, and when you will contact him or her.

Cover letters do more than just introduce you and your resume to potential employers. They let you go in-depth about important experiences/skills and relate them to job requirements. They show the employer that you are individualizing this job application. They also provide a sample of your written communication skills. This article gives some valuable tips to guide you throughout the writing of your cover letter.

Cover letter: structure

There are four basic parts to a cover letter: heading, introduction, body, and a closing. Here are some tips on what to include in each section.

Heading

Provide your contact information here. Include the date. Also include the address of the company.

Introduction

Greet the specific person you address the letter to. If you don’t know his/her name, write Dear Sir/Madam. State the position you are applying for and where you heard about it. State why you believe you are the right candidate. Mention 2-3 key qualifications that you will address in the rest of the letter. You can name drop if you have a good connection, but don’t forget that some employers detest this practice.

Body

In the body of your cover letter you have to mention specifically how your qualifications match the job you are applying for. Focus each paragraph on one qualification. Give specific examples to prove where you got these skills and how you have used them before. Refer to your resume, don’t repeat it. Tell a story; do not just list your skills. Do not use contractions.

Closing

Close with a strong reminder of why you are a good candidate. Conclude your cover letter by thanking the employer for considering you for the position. Include information on how you will follow-up.

Layout

Choose a selling design. Make sure that your cover letter is easy on the eye. Keep in mind, the reviewer of your cover letter has hundreds (if not thousands) of cover letters to look at, so make it easy for him/her to find the information you want to highlight. Keep your cover letter short (no longer than 1 page).

Use a tailor-made cover letter

Avoid the generic cover letter that you get from books. If you are not sure how to write a targeted non-generic cover letter, you should consider using a professional writing service.

What to write and what not to write in a cover letter

The purpose of the cover letter is to show that you meet or exceed the requirements listed in the job description. It should demonstrate that you’re interested in the position and that you’re available to accept the position if offered. Additional information beyond this isn’t necessary.

Don’t mention negative facts about you. A cover letter is not the place to explain why you left or are leaving an employer, why there are gaps in your employment dates, etc. These “negatives” are best explained in person during the interview so that your personality can counter them. Try to avoid a salary history in the cover letter. If the position specifically asks for your salary history, give a historical salary range, and state that your salary requirements are flexible based on the opportunity the position will provide.

Resume Tips For Landing a Job Overseas

Your CV is the first document that you’ll use to reach your prospected employer. It is your CV that will secure important interviews and will be the gateway to your new job.

Remember – your CV will speak for and about you, so you will need to ensure that it covers the following topics:

Personal Information

Both personal characteristics and background alike are important to any potential employer, no matter what kind of market you want to enter. Your name should head the document and immediately following that your exact date of birth should be given.

Affix a passport-sized photograph of yourself on the top right corner. If you are seeking opportunities within the Asian market, list your educational accomplishments beginning with the lowest; from elementary to collegiate. Also, mention any foreign languages you are fluent in, relevant classes you are attending, and your travel experiences.

Allow them to stand out in detail in your CV under a separate heading, showing that you are culturally-oriented and part of a global community.

Job History

Some organizations require only job-history specifics. They may want work record certificates and recommendations to be attached directly to the CV. This requirement will differ from country to country.

It is a good idea to inquire exactly what the organization would prefer for you to include in your CV before sending it to them.

Professional History

In most countries outside the United States, you will be required to list in chronological order the professional experience you have obtained or gathered over the year. That means that you begin with the first job you ever had, then the next, and so on and so forth. Your professional experience should be listed in order from the most recent to last in reverse chronological order.

In Britain, for example, employers wish to see your professional experience in reverse order. That means you start with the latest job and work backwards to your first job.

This is similar to the American resume, which is prepared in much the same fashion. It would perhaps be a good idea to find out the preferred chronological order prior to sending it out.

Language Style

Take care not to present your efforts and achievements as individual or singular achievements, but as team efforts. Your accomplishments will have more impact if they were achieved as being part of a team.

This will hold true no matter what the level of your contribution. You can also mention the achievements in phrase form excluding pronouns and verbs, for example: “maintained supplies” should be used instead of saying “maintenance of supplies”.

Simple Presentation

Fancy fonts should be avoided altogether. Section titles should be placed in bold fonts. Language and style should be simple and short. Make your CV relevant in style to your level of experience and the job applied for.