What Not to Say on Your Resume

Sometimes writing a good resume is not about what you say, but more about what you do not say. Really writing a good resume is a delicate balance of both but there are certainly things that you will want to omit and should never be included on your resume.

Here are some things you should never put on your resume:

• Lies: The most important thing to remember with your resume is that you will want to be completely honest. It may be tempting to lie on your resume but keep in mind that it is getting easier and easier for potential employers to check what you say so be careful. If you have a criminal record you need to put it down as hiding the fact will only hurt you if you are caught. Likewise with your education, you need to be honest about your level of education as a simple check can uncover your dishonesty and cost you the potential job.
• Big embellishments: This is otherwise known as ‘stretching the truth.’ While not technically a lie, big embellishments can cost you a potential job as well. Never say something on your resume like, ‘Got along excellent with Bob Smith,’ if you really didn’t because the world of business is often a small one and you never know who knows who.
• Grammatical errors: Nothing says, ‘Don’t hire me,’ like grammatical errors. If you are not good at catching these then have someone else proof read your resume for you. Grammatical errors happen more often than you think so be sure that your resume is checked and rechecked.
• Unprofessional e-mail address: A great thing to have on your resume is an e-mail address where your contact information goes. Here is what the bad idea is; a non-professional e-mail address. If your e-mail address is something like love2party@whatever.com, a potential employer probably won’t view that as a clever e-mail, but simply as an unprofessional e-mail and your resume is likely to land at the bottom of the waste basket. If you do not have a normal e-mail address you can get a free e-mail account form Yahoo, Google, Msn, or a host of others. Create one only for your resumes and be sure it sounds professional like love2work@whatever.com.
• Phrases that don’t make sense: Be sure that the phrases you use on your resume make sense. Avoid words such as lurnt, ya’ll, and other slang words that will make a sentence sound off. Instead of ‘I lurnt how to program computers,’ use ‘I learned how to program computers.’
• Cute phrases: Many times people put cute phrases in their resumes in an attempt to cover up a gap of time that they were not employed due to being at home with a child. While putting ‘CEO of the home and taxi for the kids,’ may look cute to you, the potential employer may not agree with you. Some may be bitter that you had the opportunity to stay at home with your kids when they didn’t. It is better to put down that you were a volunteer if it applies or just leave the timeline blank and explain at a later date.

A good resume is what is going to get your foot in the door at the job of your dreams. Making sure that your resume is not only filled with all the right things, but none of the wrong things will give you a better shot at securing the job you are after.

Read resume writer reviews to find the best service for your needs.

Why it’s Essential to use Keywords in your Resume

You may have heard that it is essential to use keywords in your resume but not know why. Have you ever wondered how potential employers sift through the hundred and possibly thousands of resumes that they get and come up with those they want to interview? What sets one person apart from the next? In a nut shell, it’s the keywords.

Many companies today now rely on keywords to help them determine who should get the interview and who should be skipped over. This is done thanks in large part to the every expanding technological world in which we live. Many employers will now take the resumes that are handed in for a certain position and use a special type of keyword recognition software that can sort the numerous amounts of resumes in a matter of minutes and give the potential employer a list of qualified candidates in accordance with the keywords they input into the program. In addition, these same employers will often use the same software to search resumes on different third party sites such as Monster.com and HotJobs.com. The point is that if you are applying to one of these companies and you are not using keywords in your resume then your chances of getting an interview are nil.

Now you will never know which companies employ this tactic, though some estimates have the number of large companies doing this at about 80 percent, and you will also never know the exact keywords they are looking for, but usually the keywords are nouns. With the advent of the internet now you can do some searching for keyword ideas related to your job sector and come up with some ideas relatively easily. So now how do you use them?

A lot of people will tell you to use the keywords liberally in the first 100 words or so in the resume as this are likely where the databases search, but that theory is quickly giving way to new thoughts and procedures. Now experts are suggesting that you not only use your keywords on a heavy basis towards the beginning, you need to also lightly sprinkle them throughout the entire resume. This will accomplish two things. The first is that the resume will not look compacted towards the top and the second is that it will read in a more fluid fashion if the keywords are spread out properly. While this may not be important if a computer program is searching the resume, your resume may actually fall into the hands of a real person at some point and you want it to read naturally. If your resume reads like a plugged up copy of several words, you may get it looked at, but you won’t get that phone call about the interview.

Using keywords are essential when writing your resume because they can quickly set you apart from the rest of the crowd. Just remember that using keywords in your resume and not committing ‘keyword overkill’ is a delicate balance that needs to be met in order to give yourself the best possible shot at landing the job of your dreams.

See a list of popular resume buzz words.

Why Writing Your Own Resume Doesn’t Work

Writing your own resume is a daunting task that can take up many valuable hours of your time and the most frustrating fact of it all is that writing your own resume doesn’t work. These days it is far better to hire a professional resume writing service to accomplish the task of writing your resume for you as these professionals will be able to work with you to create the perfect resume regardless of the area of expertise you may have.

Just as you have an area of expertise, the resume writer’s area of expertise is in writing resumes. That said here are some reasons writing your own resume just doesn’t work:

• Employer’s expectations change: There is never a time in the job market where employers are not constantly changing the way they want to see resumes written. If you write your resume by yourself and do it in a format that is not to the liking of a certain employer, your resume may not even get a second glance. Resume writers only job is writing resumes and so they are always going to be in the loop and abreast to the ever changing job market.
• Different sectors require different resumes: Maybe you are coming out of a management job and want to go into a marketing job. Even if your resume for that management job was perfect, it doesn’t mean that it will work for the marketing job you are going after. And if you are considering a Government job then there a whole host of other consideration to factor in. If you do not know the different nuances that are associated with each and every job sector then you could be easily wasting your time trying to write your own resume. A good resume writing service will have the ability and the knowhow to write resumes in any sector and will never have to second guess anything.
• Your ability to sell yourself: A resume is more than just personal information about yourself; it is a sales pitch to your potential employer. You may be the best salesperson in the world when it comes to certain products, but if you can’t sell yourself on a resume then you do yourself no good. Resumes often have to be molded and conformed to fit a specific job application and by doing so you are creating your sales pitch. Failure to do so will result in a boring resume that will end up getting a pitch of its own; into the employers trash can. A professional resume writer has the ability to take your information and evolve it into a strong sales pitch that employers will love.
• No guarantees: When you write your own resume you don’t give yourself any guarantees. Having a professional write it for you will usually guarantee that you will get interviews or the resume writer will generally revamp it until you do. Now what you do in the interview is a different story, but at least they can guarantee a foot in the door.

There are many affordable resume writing services available today so there is no need in wasting your time and writing your own resume that will be ineffective. Face it, writing your own resume doesn’t work, but hiring a professional resume writer to do it for you will.

Why you Should Read Resume Service Reviews

A resume service can be the perfect solution for you if you are not able or wanting to write your own resume. There is nothing wrong with admitting that you need help with your resume and by taking the initiative to hire a resume service you will ensure that your resume is the best quality it can be. But how do you know you are going to get a good service? One sure way to look into the windows of the resume service you are considering is to read their reviews.

Reading through the different reviews that are on a resume service’s website will give you an opportunity to see what others have to say and will also provide benefits such as:

• Seeing customer satisfaction: Knowing that the resume service you are about to hire has serviced and pleased other customers is a great feeling. When you read through the reviews you should try to find those that have been helped in the field that you are trying to go into. This way you will see that not only does the resume service do a good job in general, but that they also do a good job in your particular area of expertise.
• Seeing the experience: If you are visiting the website of a resume service and you find only a handful of reviews, or even worse no reviews at all, then you can bet that they haven’t been in business all that long. This shows a lack of experience. On the other hand, if you are visiting the website of a resume service that has dozens or even hundreds of reviews then chances are they have been around the block a time or two. Knowing that a resume service has a vast level of experience is a welcomed feeling when making your decision.
• Find little nuances: By carefully reading through the reviews you may be able to find some little nuances that may otherwise be overlooked. For example, it may not be spelled out clearly on the resume service’s website that distributing your resume will cost extra. But you may find that information embedded in a review or two and will know that you then need to address the issue before you hire the company.
• Direct comparison: By viewing several different resume services’ reviews you can do a direct comparison with the feedback they each received. Again, look for reviews in your area of expertise and see what each one has by way of reviews and decide which reviews you think sound the best.
• Seeing turn-around time: You may need to have your resume created in a very short amount of time. This is known as turn-around time. A resume service may claim that they can do this in about two days, but how do you know for sure? Instead of taking the resume service at their word, see what the reviews say.

Your resume is the single most important piece of the job getting puzzle. If you are going to go through the process of hiring a resume service to write yours for you then you need to take the time to go through the reviews and be sure that you will be happy with the company you hire.

Dream Job Wish List

If you are like most people you work because you have bills that need to get paid, but are you working at your dream job? The answer may not be so cut and dry because you may not even know what your dream job is. While working is simply a fact of life for most everyone on the planet, if you find your dream job and love what you do for work, it will be like you aren’t even working at all.

So how do you figure out what your dream job is? The best way is to create a dream job wish list. There are four things that you need to consider in order to formulate your dream job wish list:

1. What do you like doing in your spare time: Many times, the things you enjoy doing the most may be what you are best suited for career wise. Now this doesn’t meant that you can get a job watching football games on the weekends, but you should consider what you like to do when you are not working. Consider everything from sports you like to entertainment you like and then write it all down.
2. What job related things are you looking for: No matter what you do there are certain things you want to get out of a job besides a paycheck. Consider things that are important to you in this area like commute time, benefits, and hours worked. Again write down your results.
3. What type of work environment do you like: Do you want to work for a huge corporate giant or do you want to work in an environment that is a little less daunting? Do you like to be around a lot of people or a select few? Do you like high pressure or do you want to feel more laid back? Once again write down what you feel.
4. What do you like about your current job: What do you like about the job you have now or ones you have had in the past? Consider things such as did you like to lead, be part of a team, contribute independently, things of that nature. Whatever your thoughts are, you guessed it, write them down.

What you will now have is a piece of paper with all of your thoughts from the four questions above. This is your dream job wish list. Now you need to study your wish list and begin to put together the information to help you determine what it is you really want out of your working life. This may take some time and the answer will probably not leap off the page at you. But what you will begin to see is that careers you may have never before even thought of might start to sound good to you because they fit many of the parameters of your dream job wish list.

So take the time and try the exercise. Who knows, your dream job may be closer than you think.

Learn more career advice and information at JobGoRound.com. Read customer reviews of resume services, get interviewing tips, and more.

Resume Writing Checklist

Resume writing takes a good bit of dedication and time on your part if you want to write a good one. Your resume is your key to getting your foot in the door at the job of your dreams. A well crafted resume will all but ensure that you will get a phone call asking you to come in for an interview.

Knowing how important it is to have a nice resume there is a checklist of things that should be addressed before you can call your resume complete. Here is what you should look at when tackling your resume writing:

• Complete work history: Be sure that you fill in the complete timeline of your work history. Employers don’t like to see gaps in this area. If you were a stay at home mom or a student you can think of something clever to put down or simply state the fact that you were not employed and why.
• Plenty of contact info: Give a potential employer a chance to reach you by providing them with a multitude of ways to contact you on your resume. Try to leave at least two phone numbers and state at what times each one should be called. You can also leave an e-mail address as well. Try to have a professional sounding e-mail like johnworkshard@whatever.com instead or johnpartyshard@whatever.com. A clever e-mail may make your friends chuckle, but it won’t have many employers smiling.
• Relevancy: When you are writing your resume you want to try to tailor it to the job you are trying to get. Be sure that you include anything that is relevant to that job and leave out things that have no bearing on the job whatsoever. You also want to avoid putting in too much ‘fluff’ as this too can turn an employer off.
• Structure: Do you know the proper format to write your resume in. Some jobs require a special way to write the resume and if you do not deliver in that way you will not even get a first glance. Don’t wait until it is too late to find out that there was a special format you should have used.
• Be truthful: this goes without saying really. Don’t lie about your past work history, your education, or anything else for that matter. A quick reference check can expose your lie and your resume will then be tossed in the trash.
• Avoid clutter: If someone gave you a piece of paper that was messy and cluttered and asked you to read it over if you wanted to, would you? Well neither will a potential employer. Be sure that your resume doesn’t look cluttered and hand it in neat.
• Have proof readers ready: Once your resume is completed you will need to have someone proof read it. While you can hit spell-check for the misspellings, spell-check does not catch typos like typing meat when you meant to type meet. Your resume should be proof read at least two or three times when done.

Remember the first step to you landing your dream job is your resume. You have to make the most of your resume writing to ensure that you produce a resume that stands out from the rest.

Compare the top resume services at JobGoRound.com.

Things to Hate About Finding a New Job

As exciting as it can be to start a new job the actual process of finding a new job can be something of a nightmare. Finding a new job is much more than just opening the paper and circling a few want ads and it is the many things that can go with finding a new job that can have many people feeling a bit of hate in their hearts.

Here are some things to hate about finding a new job:

• Putting up with your current job: A lot of times the whole reason you want to find a new job is because your current job is not all that great. But you do have bills to pay and until you secure a new job you can’t go anywhere. That means you are pretty much stuck putting up with a boss, or a co-worker, or both that you don’t get along with and your days can just seem endless. Then to top it all off, once you do find a new job you still need to give your current employer two weeks notice.
• Writing your resume: Then there is the time consuming chore of writing your resume. You have to ensure that not only is your resume fresh but that it is relevant to the job you are trying to get. If you are applying for several different positions then that task becomes even more daunting.
• Distributing your resume: After you craft the perfect resume you then have to spend even more time uploading your resume to potential employers online, or faxing out tons of resumes to the businesses themselves. What a hassle. The absolute worst is when you go through the process of uploading your resume online and go through about twenty different steps only to find that the resume can’t be uploaded for some technical reason. Is your face red yet?
• Interviews: Once you actually have some employers look at your resume you now find yourself with the challenge of going in for an interview. What will they ask you? What will you say? How do you stop the butterflies in your stomach? This is enough to make even the most well grounded person stress out and can have you literally seeing stars.
• The waiting game: You interview for your dream job and you think you nail it. The interviewer seems very impressed and your confidence couldn’t be higher. Then you hear those dreaded words, ‘We’ll let you know.’ Now you leave feeling deflated but still want to hold on to hope but how long do you wait? Do you take more interviews that come available ort urn them away hoping for the best? This is enough to make you rip your hair out of your head and scream.

When you look at the facts it is little wonder why so many people simply put up with the jobs they have. While there may be some stress at their current jobs, it usually pales in comparison to the stress and hate that is felt when attempting to find a new one.

Resume Distribution Secrets

Once you have written the perfect resume you are then faced with the daunting task of resume distribution. After all, only by getting your resume out in front of potential employers will you begin to see the fruits of your labor and begin to get interviews. Obviously getting a new job is a numbers game. What that means is the more times your resume is viewed, the better your chances are of getting new job. So what are the best ways to go about resume distributions and what are the secrets of the trade?

Once again, the key in getting a new job is getting your resume in front of as many potential employers as possible. Here are a few secrets that may help you in your resume distribution quest:

• Post your resume online: These days there are many job sites online that allow you to post your resume. This service is typically free and is a wonderful opportunity to have thousands of potential views. Sites like Career Builder and Monster.com both allow you to not only upload your resume but also allow you to create a personal profile as well. It all adds up to increasing your chances of landing a new job.

• Hunt the classifieds: Yes there are still a good number of employers that prefer to hire out of the newspaper. Take time each day and scour the classifieds for potential jobs. Once you have found them either copy down the fax number that they supply in the advertisement or call the company and ask them for their fax number. Once you get ten fax numbers distribute ten resumes. Repeat as necessary for eventual success.

• E-Mail resume: Another cost free way to get your resume distributed is by e-mail. Not only do many companies have an e-mail address specifically for resumes these days but this also allows you the opportunity to network with your friends and colleagues using cyberspace. You may not know who to give your resume to, but what if your friend does, or their friend does, etc. Sending your resume to a handful of friends through e-mail could have a ripple effect and have you landing a job in no time.

• Social network: It seems these days that everyone has some sort of connection to the world of social networking. MySpace, FaceBook, and Twitter are among the more popular and if you are perking up reading this then you are in luck. You can post your resume on your personal page and you can even share it with your group of friends within the network. Again, this could have a ripple effect and your dream job may come from a source that you certainly were not expecting.

• Beat the streets: You can also take at least 10 resumes every day and simply do the old fashion method of going door to door. Yes it is time consuming and not the most fun thing to do but distributing your resume in this manner allows a potential employer to actually get to see you even if it is only briefly. That said be sure that you dress to impress with this type of resume distribution.

As far as effectiveness goes you never really know. It only takes your resume being viewed one time by the right potential employer and you are on your way to a great new job. The trick is to simply execute your resume distribution with great vigor and sooner or later success will come your way.

How to Find Resume Distribution Reviews

If you've ever been in the job market before, you know how important effectively distributing your resume is to the success of your job search. Regardless of how well written your resume is, if nobody see it, you won't get the job.

Resume distribution seems fairly easy to accomplish. You upload your resume to company websites, post it on craigslist, and maybe create a profile on Monster.com. Surely that's good enough for employers to find you, right? But the truth of the matter is that resume distribution is an art and a science. Many job opportunities are never posted to the public, instead employers prefer to let recruiters do the work of screening applicants. The employers workload is greatly reduced, since only the best candidates will be delivered by the recruiter. Resume distribution services send your resume, among other places, to recruiters specializing in your field

If you're serious about finding a job - and a good one, hiring a resume distribution service is a great way to go. The potential of landing that dream job in a competitive market is well worth the investment. But how do you know if you're working with a truly great resume distribution service and not just a scam website designed to lighten your wallet?

Finding a good resume distribution service is easier than you think. There are many resume distribution services out there and with the help of the internet, email, and fax, you aren't limited to working with resume distribution services in your area. But how do you know which ones are the best? Customer reviews are the way to go.

So how do you find reviews of resume distribution services? Here are a few tips:

1. Google it. The internet is used for everything these days, and finding a reputable resume distribution service is much easier now as a result . Type ‘resume distribution reviews' into Google and you'll get thousands of results. It can be a little overwhelming. But a good resume posting service should clearly state on their website what their qualifications are, how the process works, what it costs, and the results you can expect. Better yet, look for a resume posting service that has testimonials from satisfied customers proudly displayed on their website. Customer satisfaction is always a good thing.
2. Forums. On the ubiquitous World Wide Web, there are forums where users discuss just about everything under the sun. Look around for job search forums in which resume distribution services are the topic to see which firms come up the most and what experiences others have had with that firm.
3. Word of Mouth. Depending on the industry you're in, you probably have friends and colleagues that have used a resume posting service before. Ask around to see which services your friends and colleagues have used before and what their experiences have been. Get contact information for promising services so that you can explore them further.
4. Social Media. Social media websites are so much more than virtual high school reunions these days. They've become business tools for many companies and industries. Look around on Facebook or other popular social media websites to see which resume posting services have ‘fan' pages or groups associated with their business. Clients and customers of those businesses often have the opportunity to leave feedback and testimonials on their page. If one firm has had glowing reviews from its clients, give them a call and get the process started.

Obviously, a resume distribution service can't guarantee that you'll get the job. But they know all of the inside tips and tricks of getting your resume into the hands of people that matter. A great resume posting service is one that has a track record of getting people interviews. When looking for resume distribution reviews, go with the one that can help you close the deal.

Is Resume Service Worth the Cost?

You need a new resume. Whether you’re a victim of the economy or employed somewhere that isn’t an ideal fit, you know that a top-notch resume can help you secure a new job. Chances are pretty good that you aren’t a resume pro, but will a professional resume writing service really give you a return on your investment that makes it worth the cost? Below are some points to consider:

• Is there a doctor in the house? You’d never try to treat a broken arm yourself just to save a few hundred bucks, would you? When it comes to resume writing, it helps to think of professional services as just that—a professional service that you pay for, rather than trying to bumble your way through on your own. While resumes aren’t typically a life-and-death endeavor, the results have the potential to drastically alter your way of life for better or worse. The key, of course, is hunting down a stellar company.

• Check the process. If you’re going to hand over your hard-earned money for something that, quite frankly, you’re not sure about in the first place, you need to know that you’ll be getting your money’s worth. Ask the company about their process: how do they collect your information? How do they ensure that your strengths will be showcased to your best advantage? Most companies take a two-pronged approach—a questionnaire for you to fill out and then access to a “live” person via telephone. When you’re scanning the list of questions to fill out or talking to your preparer, you want to have an “oh” moment. As in, “Oh, I never thought of that.”

• Get certified. The person who sets your broken arm should have an MD behind her name. The person who produces your resume should have a CRW (certified resume writer) or a CERW (certified expert resume writer) behind her name. These certifications ensure that a resume service hasn’t just plucked someone off the street and called him a professional. It demonstrates that the person who will build your new resume has been thoroughly trained in the best, most effective ways to highlight your skills and experience.

• Investigate fair costs. Now we’re down to the nuts and bolts: money. Every service is different, of course, but a price tag of around $300 is normal for most resumes. Executive or extremely niched resumes may be a bit higher. Don’t go bargain-basement on a resume service because, after all, you get what you pay for. You probably don’t want to spend the money in the first place to have someone else write your resume, but you really don’t want to spend $100 to get a piece of garbage that a fifth grader could have put together. It’s much better to spend a few hundred dollars on a quality resume that will get the job done. Even better: many times job-seeking activities are tax deductible, so consult your financial professional to determine whether you can write off the cost of a resume service.

• Sample before you buy. There’s no need to go on blind faith where resume services are concerned. They should be willing to show you samples of resumes and cover letters that they’ve written—and “before and after” resumes are even better. That way you can see how the firm has transformed something that’s probably similar to what you have right now into something that you’ll be proud to send out.

• Judge fairly. Too many job seekers think that a writing service has failed if they don’t immediately land a job as a result of the new resume. The truth is that a great resume is an essential tool in your arsenal, but it’s not infallible. A thousand candidates for one job opening, a bad candidate-job fit, and poor interviewing skills are just a few of the reasons the perfect job may not materialize even with a new resume. The true test should be whether you’re confident that the new-and-improved version will eventually lead to the right position.

• Read reviews. Nothing guides you towards a quality resume writing service like positive customer feedback. Read reviews of the best resume services and relax, you can't go wrong.

Resume Writing For College Students

It’s exciting and scary at the same time. If you’re creating your first resume, it probably means that you’re finishing up your education and ready to enter the “real world.” It’s natural to feel some anxiety about putting together a resume; after all, the only job experience you may have is at your local pizza joint. But by following the tips below, you can produce a post-college resume that gets results.

• Include an objective. One of the most common complaints hiring managers have about entry-level resumes is the absence of an objective. An objective tells potential employers which job you’re after, and it’s especially crucial on a student resume because students typically lack the real-world job experience that can point HR in the right direction. Know this: employers aren’t going to take the time to figure out what your goal is. So, right at the top underneath your name and contact information, include your objective. Make sure it conveys what you plan to bring to the company, rather than the other way around. “Objective: To secure an entry-level reporter job where I can use my writing skills to enhance the Daily Star” is much better than “Objective: To secure a challenging and rewarding reporting job.” Consider starting with a sample resume objective to make your writing faster and better.

• Determine a focus. Unlike professionals who’ve been climbing the corporate ladder for a few years, you probably don’t have a lot of relevant work experience under your belt. So while more experienced workers might start a resume with a work history section, you need an alternative, and it’s likely to be one of these three: academic achievement and honors, academics plus volunteerism and extra-curricular leadership, or a type of work history that highlights an applicable internship. Only you know which area is your strongest. Start there.

• Don’t embellish. Some recent grads are tempted to fudge the truth a bit in order to make their resumes stand out—perhaps “improve” some duties or the title you held at a part-time job. Don’t. Sure, you want to put the best spin on your experience and communicate the skills that you’ve gleaned, but outright lying on a resume will get you fired if you’re ever found out.

• Keep it short. Similar to the “not enough” fear that drives people to embellish their resumes is the temptation to add fluff to a resume in order to make it longer and, presumably, more impressive. The truth is that employers see tons of resumes every day and are adept at sniffing out the fluff. Stick to applicable skills, experiences, and honors. And unless you’ve had quite a college career, most student resumes should be only one page.

• Highlight your tech savviness. No matter your field of interest, you can’t go wrong by drawing attention to your knowledge of everything technology and computer related. Be sure to include on your resume the programs you’ve used, programming experience, and any other technologies that you’re familiar with (gaming consoles don’t count). One of the huge benefits of being right out of college is that you probably have computer skills that outpace more experienced professionals.

• Proof and proof some more. When your experience is thin, the last thing you want is to blow your chances because of spelling or grammar errors. You want to do everything you can to demonstrate your professionalism, and misspelling (or misusing) words won’t help. Ask your parents, a friend who aced English class, or even a professor to look over your resume.

• Ask for help. Most colleges and universities have a career center that can assist you in putting together an entry-level resume. It’s easiest to take advantage of these services while you’re still on campus, though most schools allow alums to use the career center. If you really want a slam-dunk resume, plan ahead and sign up for a Professional Writing course during your senior year. These classes are designed to help students master the fine art of corporate communication—including resume writing.

Find and compare resume services.

Top 3 Resume Editing Tips

It can be daunting to write a killer resume. It’s the first impression a hiring manager will have of you and your only chance to compel that person to invite you in for an interview. Too many people focus solely on resume structure and buzz words, allowing sloppy editing to curtail their chances of scoring an interview. You can have all of the right ingredients—experience, skills, education—and still not hear back from companies because your resume isn’t edited well. We all make mistakes, but in a tight job market when employers can afford to be choosy, they’re not going to green light a resume with two spelling errors over one with zero. The resume editing tips below can help you put the finishing touches on your resume and give you a leg up in the hiring process.

Tip #1: Read it Out Loud
Not because the hiring manager will, but because reading a document aloud—word for word—is one of the best ways to spot common grammatical errors. It forces you to really pay attention to everything on the page, helping bring to light mistakes like subject-verb agreement, which will hopefully sound “off” to your ear; words that were left out or mistakenly inserted during rounds of revisions; or any inconsistencies with dates or job descriptions.
It’s also a great way to hunt for mistakes that aren’t caught by your computer’s spell check. You would be amazed at how many human resource professionals receive resumes from experienced “mangers” (rather than managers).
Lastly, reading your resume out loud can help you get a feel for whether your resume is too long, which is much more common than one that’s too short. Many people think that longer equals better, but it simply tells readers that you don’t know what’s important or how to write concisely—not exactly a great introduction. If you get to the end and think, “That took longer than I thought it would,” you might want to think about tightening it up a bit.

Tip #2: Don’t Leave Room For Doubt
Your resume needs to be concise, but it shouldn’t be so bare that you leave questions in the mind of the hiring manager—or worse yet, a bad taste in her mouth. When it comes to abbreviations or acronyms, the rule of thumb is “when in doubt, spell it out.” Extremely common business-related terms like CEO or HR are fine, but anything that gives you even a moment’s hesitation should be spelled out—especially in a job title. One hiring professional recently complained about the number of resumes she sees with “ass. manager” as a job title. It’s pretty clear that writing out “assistant” is a classier move.
Worse than that, however, is the possibility that someone on the receiving end of your resume isn’t familiar with the acronyms or abbreviations you use. Even if you assume correctly that everyone in your industry knows what TSR means, the human resources professional who first looks at your resume may not. And if he doesn’t know that producing a high Total Shareholder Return is a good thing, he might move on to someone who takes the additional three seconds to spell it out for him.

Tip #3: Wait a Day
This tip is similar to the advice given to jilted lovers who want to mail an angry letter to their ex: sleep on it. No matter how many times you review your resume the day you finish it, it’s wise to take another look at it the following day. After you’ve read the same material over and over, you begin to lose the ability to pick out flaws, but when your eyes are fresh, you may be amazed at what you find. Similarly, always ask a trusted friend to look over your resume before sending it. No matter how firm your grasp of grammar, there’s always someone you know who has a firmer grasp. That’s the person you want to review it.

Compare the best resume services on the internet.

Common Resume Blunders

It seems pretty straightforward: list your job history, education, and maybe some awards. Voila—you have a resume. Unfortunately, writing a great resume is an art form rather than a cut-and-paste job, which is why so many resumes are, well, pretty awful. The bad news is that people often make the very same mistakes; the good news is that you can avoid these common resume blunders if you know what they are.

• Substituting duties for accomplishments. It’s easy to simply list the tasks that you performed within a particular position, but it’s not as effective as demonstrating the results you achieved. Instead of, “Trained volunteers,” make it mean something by adding, “Trained volunteers to perform critical duties, saving the organization 10% in payroll costs.”

• Leaving doubt about the position you’re applying for. Whether an objective is outdated or not is a hotly debated topic, but everyone agrees that a resume doesn’t do any good if the hiring team can’t decipher the position you’re after. An objective or summary at the top helps the company successfully route your resume to a decision-maker. Most companies have enough resumes coming in that there’s no reason for them to spend 10 minutes trying to figure out if you’re applying for a sales job or an accounting position. They’ll just toss it.

• Using “I” language rather than “you” language. Look at resumes you’ve used in the past. Chances are you’ll find statements that are far more about you than they are about what you’ll do for the lucky company that hires you. Most start out with something like, “I want to use my experience to secure a challenging job with a thriving company.” Yeah, so does everybody. Problem-solve for potential employers: tell them what you can provide that others can’t: 10 years of design experience that will elevate the graphic department and attract new clients, for example, or a desire to increase their same-store sales by 15% the first year by providing advanced training to regional managers.

• Dazzling with your vocabulary rather than your skills. It’s tempting to pepper your resume with three-dollar words to demonstrate how smart you are, but here’s the kicker: employers expect you to be smart. Most aren’t in the habit of hiring dumb-as-rocks employees. So rather than trying to weave in every word you learned in your high school English class, focus on concise, error-free language that demonstrates what you’ll bring to the organization, rather than your amazing resemblance to a dictionary.

• Don’t throw the kitchen sink at them. If you’ve been in the workforce for 40 years, you undoubtedly have skills and experience that any employer would be lucky to have. But what you did in 1965—with a few rare exceptions—doesn’t hold a lot of sway with employers and may, in fact, open you up to age discrimination. Most resume experts hold to a “Rule of 15” even for the most senior executives. Don’t go farther back than 15 years in your job history, though you can list essential accomplishments outside that timeframe in another section.

• Choose the right words. Everyone knows that proofreading a resume is a must, but too many people count spellcheck as a thorough editing. The problem is that spellcheck doesn’t flag words that are spelled correctly but used improperly. “There” and “their,” “affect” and “effect,” “its” and “it’s—those are just the tip of the iceberg. Did you start your “won” (own) company last year? Or perhaps your former boss counted on you to be “discrete” (meaning separate), rather than “discreet,” which is the marvelous character trait you’re hoping to convey. If you have any doubt about your own ability to detect these subtleties, get help from a knowledgeable friend or professional editor.

Compare the best professional resume services.

Three Professional Resume Services

If you’re one of the millions who are unemployed or under-employed, the prospect of writing a resume can be paralyzing and may even cost you previous time in the job search process. To the rescue are professional resume services like the ones below that create top-notch resumes for people across all industries.

ResumeWriters
From college seniors embarking on the work world for the first time to military veterans transitioning to civilian jobs to C-level executives looking for the next big challenge, ResumeWriters matches customers with a professional resume writer with a similar background and real experience in the necessary field. This service offers four main categories: professional resumes, executive resumes, student resumes, and IT resumes. It also specializes in military-to-civilian resumes, CVs, and cover letters. Within each category, customers can choose a package that best suits their needs—from resume-only selections to resume-plus-cover-letter packages to a full arsenal that includes electronic and scannable resumes and follow-up letters. Prices range from $169.95 for a student resume to $389.95 for an executive service platinum or a complete CV arsenal. Returning customers can get a resume update for $90. And if you’re in hurry, you can even request a 24-hour turnaround time.

The difference: ResumeWriters boasts the largest network of resume professionals on the Internet.


ResumeEdge
This company has churned out over 100,000 resumes since its inception in 1998 and reports a 98% satisfaction rating from customers. ResumeEdge offers four different services: resume editing, from-scratch resumes, reviews/critiques of existing resumes, and cover letter creation. All resumes are targeted based on your level of experience or particular niche—anything from entry-level to executives to military—and the costs reflect these different elements as well. Prices start at $79.95 for a review or cover letter for a student or entry-level professional and range up to $259.95 for a completely new executive resume.
If you want something a little more hands-on (or less expensive), ResumeEdge also offers a resume builder option that takes job-seekers through guided questions, provides templates and samples, offers industry-specific phrases, and even includes salary and interviewing advice. Whether you use the resume builder or the services of their professionals, ResumeEdge can also distribute your resume to the most popular job banks and search engines. This service also allows you to keep tabs on where your resume was sent and any new opportunities that arise.

The difference: Only one in 100 applicants makes it through the company’s ultra-selective hiring process.

ResumesPlanet
ResumesPlanet provides a full range of writing and editing services for resumes and curriculum vitas (CV), as well as cover letters and resume reviews. Prices start at $10 for a review, $39.95 for a cover letter, and a range of $89.95 to 104.95 for resume writing and $129.94 to $149.95 for CV writing. ResumesPlanet also offers specialty services such as resume distribution to employment agencies; thank you letters; KSAs (knowledge, skills, abilities); and references verification, which takes the worry out of what former employers might say about you to potential new employers. Clients can also customize a discounted package with mix-and-match elements tailored for individual needs.
It’s the people behind a resume service that can make or break your experience and the results you see. Each of the professionals at ResumesPlanet is a Certified Professional Resume Writer, and each client is matched with a writer who specializes in your given field. And to accommodate customers’ busy schedules, you can reach experts in the U.S. and the UK around the clock.

The difference: ResumesPlanet offers a satisfaction guarantee wherein customers get a free revision if they don’t see results in 30 days.

Learn more about these and other professional resume services at JobGoRound.com.

Are Cover Letters Still Necessary?

The short answer is that, yes, cover letters are most definitely needed in today’s market. A cover letter is your opportunity to introduce yourself to a potential employer and get them excited about reading your resume. While a well-crafted resume describes your experience, education, skills, and accomplishments, a cover letter describes you: who you are, what you can bring to the table, and how eager you are to interview for the job. Cover letters should be approximately three paragraphs—never more than one page—so get the most out of your cover letter by incorporating these elements:

• Be specific. Start off with an actual person’s name, rather than a general title or, worse, a department. Instead of “Dear HR Department,” address it to “Ms. Adams.” This may require a bit of research on your part, but it’s well worth it. Similarly, be sure to convey your interest in a specific job—not just a job anywhere in the company. Even if you’re sending a prospecting resume (for a job not currently open or advertised), the hiring manager needs to know where to keep your resume in case something opens up: in the IT file or the graphic design file.

• Build interest. Too many people make the mistake of simply recopying their resume into paragraph form and calling it a cover letter. Cover letters should complement, rather than regurgitate, your resume. Add in something that gives it a “wow” factor and compels employers to read the attached resume. Expound on an impressive fact in your resume by adding an interesting side note: not only did you accomplish XYZ (the fact on your resume), but you were the youngest person in your company’s history to do so.

• Tell them you’re qualified. Don’t assume that the company can figure out that you’re qualified for the job—tell them. If the company needs an experienced marketer, describe your 10 years as marketing director for a non-profit agency. If they need someone with a master’s degree, talk up your degree and one or two things you gleaned from your master’s program that you look forward to applying in your new role.

• Say thank you. Everyone is busy, so don’t forget to thank readers for taking their precious time to review your cover letter and resume.

• Describe your next steps. In the last paragraph, tell potential employers that you’ll call within a week to make sure they received your resume and that they have everything they need to fully consider your candidacy. Then do it!

There are a few occasions when cover letters typically aren’t necessary. Feel free to skip them when:

• A potential employer asks for your resume directly. If you’re in an interview, for example, and are asked for a copy of your resume, a cover letter isn’t necessary.

• You’re at a job fair. You’ll be handing your resume out to many people that likely cover a variety of industries, and it’s difficult to craft an effective cover letter in that situation. However, if you want to stand out from the hundreds of resumes that employers will receive, you may want to think about a cover letter that provides a general introduction.

• You’re meeting with a recruiter. They need the nuts and bolts of a resume to determine whether you’re a good fit for jobs that they’ve been hired to fill. You can use the interview process to fill in any softer areas that a cover letter might touch on.

• A company tells you to. Rarely, a company will specifically make a “no cover letter” request. Take them at their word.

Tip: Start with a sample cover letter to make your writing easier, faster, and better.

Writing Your First Resume: Where to Start

Have you managed to avoid writing a resume until now? Well, there’s no time like the present to dig in and create a fantastic piece that will land you all kinds of interviews. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, know that the most important thing about writing a resume—whether it’s your first or four hundredth—is that they’re all about marketing, no matter what field you’re in. Lots of people likely have a comparable degree and work experience that’s similar to yours. The trick is in effectively marketing your greatness.

• Design it well. How your resume is laid out can have more of an impact than just about anything that’s on it. Here’s why: if it’s too chaotic or unfocused, hiring managers won’t spend more than two seconds trying to decipher it before tossing it. Organize the sections in ways that make sense; that may mean a traditional format where all of your education and work experience is grouped, or it could be a functional format where similar skills are grouped. Above all, make sure that your resume is consistent in design—don’t use bullets in one section and numbers in another, for example—and clutter-free.

• Start with an objective. Besides your name and contact information, the first portion at the top of a resume should be an objective or summary. This lets potential employers know which job you’re applying for, allowing them to route your resume effectively. If you’re creating your first resume because of limited work experience, you’ll likely want to choose an objective (a one-sentence goal) over a summary (a rehash of your career highlights). Tip: Use a sample resume objective to get off to a good start.


• Emphasize the right things. Whether you’re a student who’s new to the nine-to-five world or someone who’s been with the same company for 40 years (and, hence, has never needed a resume), you may have similar fears: no experience in the first case and not enough diverse experience in the second. As a jumping off point, brainstorm all of the skills you’ve gleaned through your job(s) and community service. If you don’t have much in the way of relevant job experience, it makes sense to showcase the skills you can bring to an organization.

• Eliminate irrelevant information. Some people who feel like they lack sufficient work experience will “fill out” their resume with things that shouldn’t be there. An academic award you received is perfectly acceptable, but listing your top honors in the 4-H fair doesn’t exactly scream “professional.” And as tempting as it may be, including a section on your hobbies is a definite no-no.

• Target a position. Writing a resume is much easier—not to mention more effective—when it’s geared toward a specific job. When you find a job ad that’s attractive, go over their “wants” and integrate these requirements into your resume. Researching help wanted ads will also help you determine what employers in your field are looking for in general.

• Resist the urge to be negative. Don’t include things like, “While I don’t have much experience…” or “Other people are probably more qualified for this position, but…” Your job is to sell yourself as the best candidate for a job, period. Don’t give employers any reason to think, “Well, even he thinks he’s under-qualified.”

Find and compare top resume services at JobGoRound.com.

Job Search Myths

Think you know everything there is to know about getting a job? Not so fast. There are lots of myths floating around that people have come to accept as fact. Check out some of the most common myths below, and get one step closer to scoring a job you’ll love.

• Help wanted ads are the best place to hunt for a job. The first places people look when they want or need a new job is online job boards and newspaper classifieds. Why? Because it’s easy and requires virtually no effort on the job-seeker’s part—which is why everybody does it. That’s a huge problem in a tight job market. You might be very good at what you do, but are you better than all 50,000 people looking at the same ad that you are? By all means, use help wanted ads as a jumping off point for your search, but if you stop there, you’ll be looking for work for a long, long time. Contact the career center at your alma mater, call placement agencies (what used to be known as “temp agencies”), and talk to people you know about job leads.

• I don’t have anyone to network with. Networking is often the most difficult avenue for job-seekers, but it can offer the best results. No one wants to feel like a charity case by asking friends and family members to hook them up with a job, but the trick to networking is to think of it as a relationship-building process. Go outside of your immediate circle and chat up everyone from people at your church to other parents at your kid’s fundraiser to your fellow gym-goers. Ask them about their career, their company, and what they like and dislike about both. Everyone likes talking about themselves, and before you know it, you’ll have built a rapport. Eventually, these new friends will be happy to share job leads and contacts.

• There’s no need to resend a resume. You sent your resume to Company X two years ago when they posted a job you were interested in, so they probably still have it on file, right? Wrong. Most organizations keep resumes for a year (at the outside), so unless you sent one a few weeks ago, send it again. Besides, if it’s been a while since they looked at your resume, you’ve probably—hopefully!—racked up more accomplishments that they should be aware of.

• You can’t overcome a resume gap. If you’re currently between jobs, you may think that employers will send your resume straight to the circular file once they detect that gap in work history. Because of this myth, some job seekers are tempted to blur the lines of truth in order to cover it up. Don’t. Especially in today’s tough economy where thousands of talented people have been downsized through no fault of their own, employers are very willing to accept some out-of-work time as a norm.

• Your resume should demonstrate your mastery over everything in the work world. True, you want to come off as an expert in your field, but employers don’t care—and may not believe—that you can design a high-rise building, have memorized all one million tax laws, and can perform brain surgery if the need arises. You need to focus on a couple of areas that match the job for which you’re applying. If you’re an outstanding salesperson as well as an intensive care nurse, you need two resumes tailored to best display your strengths and accomplishments in each field. Dual careers make interesting water cooler talk after you’re hired, but they’re just confusing—and unnecessary—on your resume.

• Your salary requirements should be next to nothing. When jobs are tough to come by, it’s tempting to tell potential employers that you’ll work for a pittance—heck, you’ll pay them to work there. But unless you’re changing careers entirely or just starting out in the work world, that’s a mistake. It’s not unusual for someone from HR to call and conduct a brief screening before bringing you in for an interview, and part of that typically involves asking about your salary requirements. Give them a range if you don’t feel comfortable with an exact figure, but be sure that you’ll be satisfied with a salary anywhere in that range. Firms really don’t like to be given one salary during the screening and another (higher) salary during negotiations.

Get more job search and resume writing tips from JobGoRound.com.

Resumes For Older Workers

You’re well established in your career and can bring years of experience to any company lucky enough to hire you. So why do older workers often have trouble landing a job? Part of the reason is that age discrimination—though illegal—happens every day, often before a candidate even has the opportunity to interview. To combat this, it’s essential to create a resume that spotlights all of your wonderful experience and downplays potential objections.

• Choose the best format. People right out of college often choose a traditional resume format that starts with education, goes into work experience, and ends with a skills section. This isn’t the best format for more experienced workers, however. Instead, use a functional resume (where your skills are front and center) or a combination resume (which merges the skills-focused functional resume with a reverse chronological format). If you’ve jumped around a lot career-wise, a functional resume may be right for you. If your career has more or less stayed within one industry, you can choose either a functional or a combination format.

• Stay away from dates. This is especially important when it comes to college dates. It’s still a good idea to list your education, but you can note your degree(s) and the college you attended without the associated dates. This applies even if you went back to school later in your career; it’ll confuse employers who expect a 30-year-old to show up for an interview and then meet a 60-year-old. Some resume experts also advise excluding dates related to previous jobs; instead, you can simply state the number of years you were employed at each company or within each position.

• Stick to the rule of 15. The general rule of thumb is to only include positions you’ve held within the last 15 years, but you can be a little more flexible if you’ve been in the same position with the same company for that period of time. This doesn’t mean that you’re out of luck if you have impressive accomplishments that date back more than 15 years. You can create a separate section for successes and list your achievements there.

• Emphasize continual learning. Yes, you have decades of experience, but you’ve probably also been removed from formal education for decades as well. This can be a concern for potential employers who want to be sure that you’ve kept up with changes in your field over the years. To help ease this fear, make sure to prominently list all of the classes and continuing education you’ve participated in. Similarly, it’s essential to broadcast your computer skills.

• Consider downplaying titles. Unfortunately, many hiring managers see titles like “vice president” and assume that you’re out of their price range. This may or may not be true, but you want the chance to find out during the interview process rather than being unilaterally dismissed based on an assumption. Depending on how anxious you are to secure a job, you may want to consider softening lofty job titles a bit—senior manager instead of vice president, for example.

• Slip in your work ethic. Again, right or wrong, it’s assumed that younger professionals don’t have as strong a work ethic or as much loyalty as older generations. This prejudice can actually work to your benefit. Whether in your resume summary or cover letter, subtly incorporate language that conveys your reliability, responsibility, and desire to find a company where you can contribute for years to come.

Get more resume writing help by using a professional resume writer.

Are Resume Distribution Services a Rip-off?

When you are looking for a job the last thing you want to be doing is going to all the different job posting boards that you can find and entering in your personal information again and again followed by posting your resume and because of that many people are now choosing to go with a resume distribution service. The purpose of a resume service is to distribute your resume to as many potential employers as possible saving you time, but are resume services worth their salt or are they just a big rip-off?

Resume distribution services can be a blessing or a rip-off and the answer really depends on the resume distribution service you are going with. There are so many to choose from that the task of finding a good resume service versus one that wants to just take your money can be daunting at times. Here are some ways to help you decide if the company is a rip-off or legit:

• Where they post: Many resume distribution services will claim to post your resume to thousands of employers that are ready to hire now. The problem is that many of these employers are getting so bombarded with resumes from bunk services like these that they never even open the resume and you never even get seen. Also, these types of companies typically blast out your resume to thousands of jobs that are not even relevant to your work history. Look for companies that offer you a choice of where to have your resume sent or at least what business sectors to have it sent out to.
• Are they accredited: Look for signs of accreditation such as the Better Business Bureau, or BBB, and if you want to be sure that they are on the up and up you can check with the BBB to see if any complaints have ever been filed.
• Beware the price trap: The old saying is that you get what you pay for. Many resume distribution services will charge you just a little bit of money and do very little to no work. If something is not effective does it really matter how cheap it is? While it is not necessary to go with the most expensive service you should stay away from the rock bottom priced ones as well. Remember, if it sounds too good to be true, that is probably because it is.
• Multiple levels of service: They are only supposed to be distributing your resume so why the different price levels? Stay far away from the services that offer you a great deal at one price, but an even better deal at a higher price. These companies are simply out to rip you off.
• How often they post: This can only be found out by asking, but you need to know how often they post. Is it a one shot deal or do they constantly keep getting your resume in the hands of potential employers?

While posting your resume to multiple job boards does take time and is easier accomplished by hiring a resume distribution service, if you have a bad one you are doing yourself no good. Don’t let these rip-off companies waste your time, instead look for one that is reputable and will get you the results you are after.

How to Negotiate Salary

Your dream employer is interested in hiring you and all that lies in the way now is to negotiate your salary. You want to be sure that you get what you are worth, but at the same time you don’t want to lose this huge job opportunity. So how so you go about successfully negotiating your salary?

Getting what your worth is not an impossibility if you do a little homework ahead of time and know what you are doing going into the negotiations. Here are some vital tips on how to successfully negotiate your salary:

• Research the company: This is a step all too often overlooked. You need to know going into negotiations the financial state that the company is in. If they are in great shape financially you probably have more room to work as far as salary goes.
• Research your industry: Find out what other companies in the industry you are going for are paying for your particular position. Of course some will be higher and some will be lower, but this will give you a great average and a great place to start.
• Ask about benefits: Benefits should also be factored into how much you are willing to take. The dollar amount may be off of what you are expecting, but if you get perks such as a company car, an expense account, health insurance, and a 401 K plan, you may actually be able to take less as the perks will make up for the lesser dollar amount. Be sure to discuss perks so that they know that you are going to require more money if the perks are too few.
• Avoid salary talk beforehand: Make sure that the company is seriously interested in hiring you before you spit out any solid numbers for salary. If the company really wants you this plays to your advantage. If asked about it before hand, counter with a question of your own, such as ‘What is the salary range here?’ This will avoid the numbers talk too early and give you some sort of indication on where you should try to aim for.
• Don’t lie: Never lie about your past salary. A quick reference check can return the fact that you lied about it and that will do you absolutely no good. Be honest about what you made in the past if asked and remember, you are either worth what you asking or you are not.
• Throw a high ball: Always ask for more that you will settle for. By doing so you leave room for negotiating to actually take place. If you come in at the number you actually want then the company needs only counter your offer once and you are already under what you want. A word of caution here, don’t get too crazy. If you high ball a number that is too ‘out of the ballpark’ you may not get a counter offer at all and you will thus blow the whole deal.

Finally, you have to try to control the situation. Be firm but don’t be demanding and remember that if you don’t ask for what you are worth then chances are you probably won’t get it.

Get more career advice at JobGoRound.com, which provides job search tips, interview advice, and resume service reviews.

Painless Cover Letter Writing

Writing a great looking cover letter is the first step to you getting an interview at the company of your dreams. Yes it is the resume that actually tells all about your work history and qualifications, but the cover letter is the first thing that the potential employer looks at before they view your resume and a cover letter offers more flexibility when it comes to selling yourself. Along with your personal information, a basic cover letter contains the following:

1. The position in which you are applying for.
2. Your reasons for wanting the job.
3. Any skills you have that relate to that job.
4. Your knowledge of the company in which you are trying to get into.

Writing a cover letter doesn’t have to be rocket science and if you follow these tips you will be on your way to painless cover letter writing that will have you knocking the socks of the potential employer before your resume is every viewed:

• Think before you write: Map out on paper what you want to say on your cover letter. This will allow you time to organize your thoughts so that you can better write your cover letter.
• Short and sweet: Your cover letter should be short, concise, and to the point and should be kept to one page if possible. You want it to be professional sounding, but if you drag it on too long, you may lose the interest of the reader. Keep them wanting more because that more is your resume.
• Make it a custom fit: When writing the cover letter make it a custom fit for the particular job you are going after. If you are going after a managerial job then make your cover letter relevant to that job. If you have managerial experience tell the potential employer that you would be the perfect candidate for the job because of it and if you do not, explain why you think you would be perfect to become a manger. Bottom line is custom fit it.
• Draft, draft, draft: While your cover letter needs to be a masterpiece, it’s not a painting and you don’t have to get it on the first shot. Be prepared to do a draft or two, or three, whatever it takes. This is going to allow you to add new ideas and subtract rambling that don’t need to be included.
• Proof read: Nothing say, ‘Please go on to the next resume,’ like a cover letter that is full of spelling and grammatical errors. Check it several times and make sure it is perfect when done.
• Would you hire yourself: Once you have completed your cover letter, read it over as though you where the potential employer. Did you find it so intriguing that you feel like you want to know more? If not, then chances are that the potential employer won’t either. If you find this happening, go back and add and subtract until you are satisfied.

Often times you only get one shot at a job you are going after so make it a good one. Take your time and create your masterpiece cover letter and doors will fly open like you never saw before.

Get more cover letter tips. Consider starting with a sample cover letter to make your writing faster and more professional.