What not to do
In can be tough to give job hunters everything they need before sending in an application, showing up for an interview or even starting a first day at a new position. Perhaps, the easiest thing to do is share a few things that will most certainly shoot a candidate right in the foot before they’ve even gotten a fair shake. If you’re sitting around wondering why that dream job never called you back or even why your stay at a new company was shorter than expected, you might want to take a look at these mistakes and bad habits, followed by a quick trip down memory lane.Assume they need you more than you need the job Whether in the interview or even after you’ve started, keep in mind that you’re the one who’s unemployed or unhappy at your current position. Hiring somebody in today’s job market is like shooting fish in a barrel. You may indeed be the most talented candidate, but respect is something that’s earned over time. On your first day, you shouldn’t be above any task your supervisor asks of you.Send a generic cover letter Or even worse no cover letter at all. HR departments are constantly bombarded with resumes for opening. Whether you’re applying for a top-level management job or to be a weekend clerk at your local convenience store, don’t send in a resume without a cover letter. A generic cover letter does very little to advance your chances as a potential hire (aside from demonstrate your willing to write a paragraph or two, which is more than no cover letter says). A well-tailored cover letter, on the other hand, is just another asset by which you can distinguish yourself from the masses, showing you’ve researched the position, have a genuine interest and have given legitimate thought towards working there, not just submitted a shot in the dark application. Read more
Helpful Resume Tips
The bleak prospects for job hunters in the current market have been well documented, though while it is certainly more challenging than in era’s past, securing gainful employment is far from impossible. It might take a little while longer and require a little more elbow grease than a lot of the ready-to-work would hope for, still finding a suitable occupation is a reasonable and attainable goal. It’s true more people are look for work now than at any time in history, but with the right eye-popping resume you can still stand out from the crowd and get the initial call-back that will get your foot in the door. Bear in mind, a resume is just as much a first impression as when you come face-to-face with an interviewer, so craft it with the utmost care. Here are some thoughts to keep in mind when putting yourself on paper.Avoid white space This comes down as much to design layout as it does content. At the point where you submit an actual resume, it’s too late to go back in time and sign up for a few more extracurriculars or spend your summers more wisely. What you can do is write detailed, action-verb empowered descriptions of the jobs you do/did have. Try off-setting your job title on the left, with the dates you worked there on right far right. This will help to balance the page. A sheet that is mostly blank or has wide gaps and margins will subtly denote inadequate experience and insufficient presentation skills.Include what’s relevant If you are a college upperclassman or graduate, there is no place on your current resume for anything you did in high school, unless of course you’re an Olympic gold medal winner or equivalent world champion. With that said, some things you may have done recently might be more relevant than you think. For example, waiting tables or working in a customer service job for an extended period of time shows you can positively interact with people and hold down a position. Also, don’t be afraid to include relevant college coursework. If you enrolled in a class in which you worked with real world clients, indicate this proudly and explain the project in further detail. Read more