Archive for the ‘Resume Tips’ Category



Chronological vs Functional?

Posted On: Tuesday, May 5th, 2009 - Posted By: Adam C.

Which Resume Style is Best for You?

Chronological:

  • Best when looking for work in your current industry
  • Highlights a strong employment history
  • Traditional, most familiar presentation style
  • Works best with most HRIS systems, online applications
    (the automated search databases many companies use)

Functional (Skills-Based):

  • Best for career-changers to show off relevant skills
  • Downplays former industry, highlights re-purposed skill sets
  • Works best if uploaded as .pdf, distributed in Word, on paper
  • Non-traditional layout

It’s Your Style!

Think critically about what you want to convey.  Choose a resume style that best supports your objective.

Recognize that each style has its pros and cons.  Evaluate each one carefully.

Career changers with functional resumes should network first then send their resume and cover letter as a follow up to those conversations.

Resume style choices should always be preceded with a consideration of how each receiving company manages their search and selection process (HRIS).

Lisa has 14 years of résumé coaching experience.
She currently directs day-to-day operations and programming of a career center at a two-year technical college. From 2006-2008, she served as State Chair of a national organization to support women leaders in higher education. She remains on the Board. Previously, she served as HR Director of a legal services firm and specialized in worker’s compensation issues. From 1996-1998, she worked as a graduate assistant in the career services office of a large four-year college.

Need More Advice?

Get the resume help you need!

Build your resume with the GigTide Online Resume Builder and visit the CYJ website at www.changeyourjob.us.

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What Does Your Resume Say About You?

Posted On: Tuesday, April 28th, 2009 - Posted By: Adam C.

Feedback from HR Professionals

Your Resume Should Give These Impressions:

  • Focused, on target
  • You know your industry
  • Clear history, easy to follow
  • Highly qualified for the job in question
  • You know how to present yourself professionally

Your Resume Will Get Overlooked IF it:

  • Is not targeting a specific job
  • Does not have a cover letter associated with it
  • Is unprofessional in appearance (spelling errors, poorly formatted, stained or torn, etc.)

It’s Your Resume!

Think critically about what you want to convey, then plan exactly how you will accomplish that.

Your resume and cover letter should be well-connected in terms of visual presentation and supporting content.

Your resume and cover letter should entice the recruiter or hiring manager to learn more about you and how you can become an asset to the company.

Your resume shows your relevant history and links your experience to the job in question – your cover letter describes how you will use your experience to benefit the company, especially in the first 30/60/90 days on the job.

Lisa has 14 years of résumé coaching experience.
She currently directs day-to-day operations and programming of a career center at a two-year technical college. From 2006-2008, she served as State Chair of a national organization to support women leaders in higher education. She remains on the Board. Previously, she served as HR Director of a legal services firm and specialized in worker’s compensation issues. From 1996-1998, she worked as a graduate assistant in the career services office of a large four-year college.

Need More Advice?

Get the resume help you need!

Build your resume with the GigTide Online Resume Builder and visit the CYJ website at www.changeyourjob.us.

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Posted in How to Write a Resume, Resume Tips, Your Career | No Comments »

Remain Objective: How to Target Your Resume to Your Audience

Posted On: Tuesday, April 21st, 2009 - Posted By: Adam C.

Speak Their Language:

Employers have a language of their own.  That language consists of keywords, buzzwords, acronyms, and titles.  You need to speak their language to demonstrate that you know what they want and that you are the right candidate for the job.  You learn the employer’s language by doing your research:  carefully review job postings and the company website; interview current or former employees about company culture; and read their press releases and financial reports.

Be Specific:

A targeted objective uses the exact job title of the position that a company wants to fill.  You can simply list an objective statement of: “Seeking Customer Care Consultant position”.  Or you can develop a bio statement that further demonstrates your qualifications for the job.  For example:  Customer Care Consultant with 3 years of demonstrated experience in building rapport, solving problems, and increasing sales”.  From that point forward, every line of your resume should support that Objective, directly or indirectly.

It’s Your Target!

The WORST objective is vague and directionless.  For example: “Seeking a challenging position that uses my education and experience and offers opportunities for advancement”.

Specific job titles help companies route your resume to the right recruiter.  If they cannot figure that out easily, your resume won’t be reviewed by anyone.

Do not apply generically for currently open positions like everybody else is doing.  Network and do your homework on the position and the company first.  Then send a highly targeted resume and cover letter based upon what you learn.

Sending out 10-20 highly targeted resumes and cover letters each week is far more effective than blasting out 100 generic resumes.  Demonstrate quality over quantity.

Lisa has 14 years of résumé coaching experience.
She currently directs day-to-day operations and programming of a career center at a two-year technical college. From 2006-2008, she served as State Chair of a national organization to support women leaders in higher education. She remains on the Board. Previously, she served as HR Director of a legal services firm and specialized in worker’s compensation issues. From 1996-1998, she worked as a graduate assistant in the career services office of a large four-year college.

Need More Advice?

Get the resume help you need!

Build your resume with the GigTide Online Resume Builder and visit the CYJ website at www.changeyourjob.us.

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Posted in How to Write a Resume, Resume Tips, Writing Tips, Your Career | No Comments »


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