6 Quick Resume Tips That Can Make a Big Difference

The job market is as competitive today as ever, which makes creating an effective resume more important than ever. While a resume alone will not get you a job, it is essential for getting your foot in the door and invited to an interview. Here are 6 quick resume tips that can make a big difference.

1. Identify Keywords

Many companies, even smaller ones, use a digital database to filter resumes. The HR department will do a search based upon a specific set of keywords and if your resume does not have these keywords, then it will never be seen. Normally, these keywords will be nouns although some may be verbs as well. By taking a closer look at the job description, there is a good chance that you will be able to identify a number of keywords that you might be able to include in your resume.

2. Start Strong

Employers will normally make a quick judgment about you within the first 5 seconds of scanning your resume. This means that you must make sure that your resume makes an excellent impression right off the bat. By formatting your resume to center around several strong titles and sub-titles, you will likely get a much better reaction.

3. Proofread, Proofread, Proofread

It is almost impossible to determine how important proofreading your resume a few times can actually be. If your resume states that you are detail oriented, then a resume full of spelling errors implies that this may not be true. If you plan on being treated like a professional, then act like a professional. Proofread your resume at least 2 times.

4. The Most Important Information Must Be First

Employers will rarely read your entire resume, word for word. This means that the most important information needs to be placed first. This is true for your overall resume structure as well as within your sections. The most important sections should be first and the most important information within those sections should be at the top of the list.

5. Use Concrete Examples – Not Statements

It is important that when backing up your skill set or experience that you use concrete examples, not just statements. For example, do not say that you “increased overall profits”, but rather that you “increased overall sales by $25,000 while decreases expenses $10,000”. This gives an employer a firmer grasp on what exactly you did.

6. The Shorter the Better

It has been up for a lot of debate over the years whether or not a resume should be 1 page, 2 pages, or even more. However, a general consensus is that you should keep your resume as short as possible, while still including all relevant and important information. If this means you need a few pages, then use a few pages. However, the more information you include, the higher the likelihood that some of it isn't actually that important.

There are literally hundreds of different resume tips that people can use to craft the perfect resume, however these 6 are more than enough to get you pointed in the right direction. To ensure that your resume is as effective as possible, identify and include keywords, start strong, proofread several times, prioritize your information, use example-not statements, and always keep your resume as short as possible, while still including all of the important information that you need to share.

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Never Put This On Your Resume

Your resume is the first and sometime the only chance that you will have to impress an employer before an interview. This means that it is vital that you utilize your resume to put your best foot forward. Fortunately, there are a number of ways that you can improve your resume and make it stand out from the crowd. Here are a few do's and dont's that can greatly improve the impression that your resume creates.

5 Resume Writing Do's

1. Put Your Best Material First

Since many employers will not read your entire resume without first being interested in it, it is essential that you place your most impactful information within the first few inches of the top of your resume. This is sometimes referred to as the “prime-time” space. It is will where the reader will first focus their attention.

2. Focus on Recent Experience

Your employers are going to place most of their interest in your most recent experiences. This means that your resume should focus primarily on your recent experiences as well. While you can list a long history of experiences, you should include the more information about more recent work experiences.

3. Design is as Important as Content

Many people get so focused on creating the best content that they forget to look at how the resume appears as a whole. Make sure that you use a standard, readable sized font such as 12 or 11 as well as use at least 1 inch margins. Additionally, bullet points and insert rules and help your resume look more professional.

4. Emphasize Work Experience Before Your Education

While your education is important, once you have been in the workforce for a few years, it becomes a secondary focus for potential employers. This means that you need to emphasize your work-related accomplishments much more than your educational background.

5. Proofread

Aside from a poor design, there is no faster way to look unprofessional than to have misspelled words. It is vital that you always proofread your resume before sending it out. For the best results, try to proofread it more than once.

5 Resume Writing Dont's

1. Don't Lie

This seems like an obvious piece of advice, however more and more people are lying on their resume to get ahead. Employers can fact-check your background faster and more accurately than ever before and to think that they will not check your background before hiring you is a big mistake.

2. Don't Include an Objective Statement Automatically

Many people will automatically feel the need to add an objective statement to the top of their resume, however unless the objective statement is extremely well-written and applicable, it isn't always the best choice. Generally, objective statements are too general and since they are at the top of your resume, they are taking up the “prime-time” real estate, which should be reserved for the best information possible.

3. Using Adjectives Over Examples

Saying that you are a “self-starter” or “detail-oriented” isn't enough because everyone is saying the same thing. A better idea is to include specific examples of how you have been a self-starter or detail-oriented in the past..

4. Don't Include Too Much Detail

Having detail in your resume is important, but it shouldn't be an autobiography. Limit every thought to only one or two sentences If you add too much detail, your resume will become difficult to read.

5. Don't Include Personal Data

Although employers cannot discriminate based upon certain criteria, that doesn't mean that they don't do it. Only include the minimum amount of personal information. Information to exclude includes: marital status, birth date (age), race, height, weight, photos, etc.

Writing an excellent resume doesn't have to be difficult. The key is knowing what to do and what not to do. These 5 resume writing tips can go a long way in improving your resume.

How to Use a Resume Builder to Create a Great Looking Resume

A resume builder is a wonderful tool to take advantage of if you suddenly find yourself on the hunt for a job. With a resume builder you can successfully build a great looking resume in no time at all and as long as you choose a quality resume builder, the process couldn’t be much simpler.

Really using a resume builder is a simple one, two, and three process. While you may have to go back after you are finished and tweak a few things here and there, for the most part using a resume builder to create a great looking resume is accomplished as follows:

1. Select Your Template: The first step in using a resume builder is to select the template you want to use. Most resume builders have thousands of templates to choose from so finding one that is appealing to you should not be a problem. Simply find a template that you like in the sector in which you are trying to get work in and move on to the next step.

2. Fill-In-The-Blanks: Once you have selected your template, your resume is ready to be completed. The resume template you selected will have all the information you need and to take that template from prototype to actual running model. It is as easy as filling in the blanks at this point. The great part about using a resume builder is that many of the resume builder programs come with information as to what should and shouldn’t be filled into those blanks. This ensures that you are including all the information potential employers are looking for and not including what they don’t need to or want to see.

3. Check and Print: The final step in using a resume builder to help you build the perfect resume is to check everything over and then print out the resume if you like what you have. If you are not pleased then you simply have to make any adjustments you desire until the finished product is exactly what you feel a potential employer will want to see. You should also save a copy of your completed resume to a file on your computer at this point.

Using a resume builder to help you build your resume is really a no brainer. These days there are so many resume builder programs on the market that it is very easy to find a program that has everything you are looking for, including a large number of templates, great customer service, and a price tag that won’t leave you in shock.

Easy to use and very effective, resume builders are now making it possible for anyone, regardless of technical skill level, to create a great looking resume. Your dream job is out there, but in order to land it your resume has to really shine. If you are not 100 percent confident in your abilities to create the perfect resume then you too may want to consider using a quality resume builder to help you achieve all of your employment goals.

Is Resume Software any Good?

When you are looking for a new job the most important thing you can do to increase your chances of getting a great position is to have a well written resume. But some people are better than others at writing resumes and perhaps this just isn’t your strong point. If that is the case there is nothing to worry about as there are plenty of ways that you can get help in writing your resume. One way is to use resume software, but how do you know if it is any good or not?

Resume software is really like anything else these days, there are a good number of programs that you can buy and each will have its pros and its cons. Good resume writing software should have all of the following:

• Phrases to use: Pre written phrases that you can use regardless of what type of job you are after.
• Resume Wizard: Most resume software comes with some type of resume wizard where you fill in some answers and the wizard creates a resume draft for you.
• Space saving tools: Templates and tools that will help you to fit your resume onto one single page.
• Variety: You want to find resume software with many different font styles to choose from.
• Error proofing: Good resume software will have spelling and grammar checking devices built in.

These are the bare minimum requirements that should be included in any resume software that is worth its salt. There are many other features that you will be able to find with resume software but as the features begin to rise up so too do the prices.

Resume software can be very useful for those who have no idea of where to start and just don’t want to go the route of a professional resume writing service. If you decide that you want to go with resume software, be sure that you get:

• Easy installation: Keep in mind that some resume software is easy to install on your PC and others are near impossible. Of course you will want to go with the type that installs with ease. If you opt for software that takes you a day to install you are being counterproductive and not really saving any time at all.
• Customer service: Go with resume software that has a good customer service department by way of the web and the phones. This will come in handy if you get stuck on installation or have a question about the software in general.

Resume software is indeed a great tool and can help you to create a wonderful looking resume which will ensure that you get the highest chance of getting that job you are after. But beware of what you are buying and never go for the cheapest resume software available. Not to say that you need the most expensive, but be sure that the software you purchase has all the little extra that you will need to create a great looking resume.

Resume Writing Tips – Four that are Important and Often Overlooked

Writing your own resume is something to take to heart as your resume will be the single most important weapon in your job-getting arsenal and knowing some easy resume writing tips can help turn your resume into a lethal weapon that is all but guaranteed to get you wonderful results. Many people simply overlook the little things when it comes to their resumes, but it is the little things that often mean the difference between many resume views and your resume ending up in a dumpster.

While proper structure and good keywords are always a must when you are constructing your resume you also need to remember these little and often overlooked tips:

1. Proofread: When your resume is done and you feel as though it is where you want it to be you need to be sure to proof read it. Then you should proof read it again. Then give it to your friend and have them proof read it. The point is that you need to be sure that your resume is not littered with many little misspellings or grammatical errors as there is nothing that says, “Hey, I am careless and don’t check my work,” more than bad grammar.

2. Don’t Over-Style: Using bullet points to emphasize a point in your resume and using bold to indicate a title are great ways to jazz up you resume. However, using all sorts of fancy fonts, different font colors, using bold too much, and using italics too much is a sure way to annoy a reader and have your resume thrown away quickly. Some style is good, but if you spend too much time on style you will end up with a confusing and agitating resume.

3. Supply Contact Info: This sure seems like a no-brainier doesn’t it? The fact is that many people only put one form of contact on their resumes. If your resume really speaks to a potential employer then you want that potential employer to be able to reach you with the greatest of ease. You should include your address, your phone numbers with times that you can be reached at each number, and you should also include your e-mail address. The more ways and employer has to get a hold of you the better. If you are too hard to reach, then they may go on to the next applicant.

4. Sound Professional: Avoid using slang like the plague. Just because you know what the cool phrase of the month is, doesn’t mean that a potential employer will. You should also be sure that your e-mail is professional sounding. If you have an e-mail that is partyguy@xyz.com then how professional do you think you are going to come off? E-mail addresses are free with many different services so if you have an e-mail address that is unprofessional sounding then get one that sounds professional such as workhardguy@xyz.com.

Writing the perfect resume doesn’t have to be a challenge, you just have to be sure to look at everything; including the little things. By taking your time and following these easy resume writing tips you too can have a knock out resume that you will truly be proud of.

Are Job Blogs Useful?

It seems that everywhere you look online these days there are blogs about almost every topic you can think of and the with the job market so hotly contested now there are many job blogs are well. Because it is so easy to be a blogger and there are many free sites that allow anyone to blog about anything that means the number of job blogs online is simply astounding.

With so many to choose from there are obviously going to be some that are better than others, but overall are job blogs useful? The answer all depends on which job blogs you are looking at and also what type of information you are trying to find.

The main differences that you will find with most job blogs are that they are either maintained by an individual person or by a corporation. Some individual maintained job blogs can be very useful as many are maintained by people who used to be in the business of job recruiting or some other form of employment finding. These kind of job blogs can be handy is you are looking for advice on what to say in an interview and how to dress and so on.

While the blogs that are maintained by the individuals are somewhat useful from time to time, it is more often than not the corporate job blogs that really offer you a great source of free information. The nice thing about job blogs that are maintained by corporations is that they often give valuable insights to their companies and if you are attempting to get a job at one of these places then the corporate run job blogs are a must see. Many times they will offer you an insight to the company itself and flat out tell you what to expect if you want to work for them.

However, the best run and most valuable job blogs that you will find in relation to the job market as a whole will be attached to job websites. Websites such as Monster.com and HotJobs.com have their own dedicated blogs and these job blogs will be filled with all sorts of tips, tricks, and general information in regards to finding a job. Additionally you can get advice on post interview tips, follow up tips, and the like all for free. Their job blogs are generally free to view and if you are a member of their site you can even make a comment on a posting if you so desire.

So the answer to the question is yes, job blog can be very useful only at different degrees. However, when you are in the hunt for the perfect job then every bit of free information that you can gather up will only be to your benefit. While you may have to spend some time searching through the different job blogs that are online today, it may be well worth it if you land your dream job as a result of the free information that you uncover.

How Well Does Free Resume Distribution Work?

When it comes to life nothing beats getting something for free, but does that apply to free resume distribution? There are many places on the web where you can sign up for free resume distribution, but how effective is it really?

Free resume distribution is more times than not just a hook to get you to go to a specific website where they will really want to sell you on a whole host of other pay options. While they may in fact allow you to submit your resume and then have it distributed to a few hundred potential employers for free, their true motive is to have you sign up for a pay service where your resume will be distributed to thousands of potential employers instead of only a handful.

The problem with only using these companies free resume distribution services is that they may not take the time to see where your resume should be sent. So if you are in business management and your resume is distributed to several hundred fast food restaurants for free are you really going to get any value out of that? Besides, do you actually think that they will be sending your resume to the same places for free that they are charging other people money for?

Another way that you can get free resume distribution is by having a resume writing service create your resume for you. Free resume distribution is a perk that many resume writing services offer to their clients as a motivational tool to use their service. This is a great way to get something for nothing, but while you are not paying for the distribution of your resume you are in fact paying for your resume to be created. Bottom line; either way you pay.

So to answer the question, free resume distribution has its advantages and its disadvantages. Its overall effectiveness really depends on the means by which it came to you for free. Certainly a free resume distribution service that you are receiving because you spent money in some other capacity will be better than a freebie where you don’t drop a single dime.

Perhaps a better way to look at free resume distribution is as a supplement. Instead of relying totally on free resume distribution use it in conjunction with other traditional methods of resume distribution. Along with the freebie sites, use resume posting boards such as the ones that can be found on job websites such as Moster.com and the like. Combine those efforts with some good old fashioned beating of the pavement and before you know it the perfect opportunity will present itself to you.

As for relying totally on free resume distribution to find you a job, forget it. Free is indeed a great price to pay for anything, but when it comes to your career success you have to be proactive and you may need to spend a bit of money as well. Getting your resume out to as many potential employers is indeed paramount, but it is only going to be useful if the potential employers that are receiving your resume can actually use the services that you have to offer.

The Importance of Resume Distribution

Having a great looking and professionally written resume is only the first step in obtaining a good job and often people underscore the importance of resume distribution. Resume distribution is a must if you are going to land that dream job that you have had your eyes for so long.

The old saying, “Good things come to those who wait,” does not apply when it comes to finding a job. You have to take the initiative to get your resume in the hands of as many potential employers as possible. This goes well beyond merely looking though the newspaper and seeing what jobs you are interested in and then mailing or faxing those potential employers your resume.

Resume distribution is a numbers game. That means the more you pass out, or distribute your resume the better. It is true that it only take that one person to see your resume and you are hired, but what if that one person never gets to see your resume because you are lacking in your resume distribution efforts? The bottom line is that the more your name is out there via your resume, the better your odds are at finding employment.

In today’s high tech world it is easier than ever to accomplish a huge amount of resume distribution with minimal efforts. This is thanks to resume distribution services. Now you will have to pay the majority of these services, but they get your resume in the hands of thousands of potential employers. If you were to beat the pavement it would take you months on end to get the results they can achieve in just one day.

Buyers beware though as all resume services are not created equally. Don’t go for the resume distribution service that offers the most amount of distribution. You need to be sure that you work with a resume distribution service that will be distributing your resume to those who will be interested in your services.

For example, if you are a chef and your resume is being distributed to all the office buildings in the area, what good will that do you? As important as it is to have your resume get to as many destinations as possible, it is equally important to ensure that your resume is going to quality and relevant destinations as well.

While your actual resume will still be the key to getting your foot in the door as far as an interview goes, remember that potential employers need to see your resume first before they can call you. Think of your resume like a brand new business that you open and it has everything in it state of the art and offers every possible solution for your customers. Now imagine how effective that business would be if nobody ever knew about it. The same holds true for your resume.

In today’s job market it is all about resume distribution. While you still want to do your part and get your resume out to as many potential employers as possible, you should strongly consider the use of a professional resume distribution service that can help you expedite your career goals in a short amount of time.

Top Three Resume Writers

When you set out to hire a resume writer you want to be sure that you are in fact getting the best of the best. Working with a top of the line resume writer will give a great looking resume that will help to set you apart from the thousands of others that are on a similar mission of finding a great job. However, finding a great resume writer can be somewhat time consuming and a bit stressful as it seems there are now more resume writers than ever before that is available for you to choose from. So who do you go with?

The correct resume writer for you will ultimately depend on you and your needs and you can search online and offline all day for several days and sift through the thousands of resume writers that now exist. However, you will not find any resume writers that have more experience, knowledge, and overall great reputations as the following three:

1. Resume Planet: If you are looking for speed then look no further. Resume Planet has not only been in the business of writing resumes for many years now, but they also offer 24 hour resume turnaround time. While this will cost you extra, if you need a quality resume now, there I no better place to go. Their website is full of sample resumes that you can view to see the kind of work they do and they offer an unmatched 24 hours a day, seven days a week customer support service. Top it all off with a 100 percent satisfaction guarantee and you really can’t go wrong.

2. ResumeEdge: Online for over 11 years and in the resume writing business for even longer, ResumeEdge is one of the most notable resume writers you will find. Their writers have all passed extensive training and testing and they have many distinguished certified resume writers on their staff. They cover almost any type of resume you could possibly need help with from business to Government and everything else in-between. They proudly boast an overall customer satisfaction rating of 98 percent which mean that if you decide to work with them you are more than likely going to love the results.

3. ResumeWriters.com: Once featured in Time Magazine, ResumeWriters.com has a long and proud tradition of writing resumes. They too offer a 100 percent satisfaction guarantee to back their over decade long service record. On staff they also have many certified resume writers and their dedication to customer satisfaction is a true plus.

Best of all, all three of these top resume writing services offer a wide range of service so you are sure to find what you need at a price you can afford. While there are many other resume writers you can look into, it will be hard for you to find any others that match the quality, the experience, and the overall customer satisfaction of these three. Working with any of them will no doubt give you the edge you need in a job market that can be cut throat at times.

Read reviews of these and other professional resume writers at JobGoRound.com.

Three Growing Career Fields to Get Into Now

It seems that each and every decade the career fields tide sway and this decade is sure to be no different. Some career fields are expanding faster than others and one of the main reasons is the way that the world is headed as a whole.

While your options for career fields are increasing by the year, there are three career fields in particular that you should be looking to get into now. These career fields will continue to expand as the job market is in hot pursuit of people who can fill the needs of these three specific spaces. These hot career fields include:

• Software Engineering: Software is always being developed and is constantly evolving as the world is by large a technology happy place. Even though there may not always be a need for the technology that the world has now, a safe wager is that new technology will continue to be developed moving forward. Therefore, there will always be a need for those who can successfully create and work with the software that will be needed in order to drive that technology that exists today and the technology that will be developed tomorrow.

• Nursing: The medical industry as a whole is growing by leaps and bounds where the job market is concerned. This is mainly due to the fact that the population is extremely large and is aging as well. Nursing careers will continue to expand as a good nurse is on the front lines of virtually everything medical. Nurses can do a variety of jobs including admitting, taking vitals, administering medication, and much more. If there is something medical, you can bet there are nurses nearby.
• Law Enforcement: Thanks to a world that has been experiencing an increase in crime and shows such as CSI Miami and Law and Order, law enforcement is growing as a career field in a big way. Unfortunately for many, the world of crime has spilled over to the online community as well, but this is more good news for those who are seeking a career in law enforcement. The need for people to become ‘online police’ as well as ‘street police’ will continue to grow as the years go on and as long as there are criminals always trying to get one over on people, there will always be a need for quality law enforcement as a result.

Again, there are a number of career fields or you to choose from these days, but there are few that will continue to expand with the ferocity of these three. What is often overlooked when getting into a career is how much expansion that career path will have and how much need the world will have for it going forward. Technology, medical, and law enforcement are three fields that will not only be around in a strong way this year but they are also career fields that will stand the test of time and always offer opportunities for those who are qualified.

Get more career advice at JobGoRound.com.

Government Resume Writers

In order to be competitive in your pursuit of a Federal Government job your Government resume has to be perfect and if you lack the confidence and experience to write a top notch resume on your own you may want to consider using one of the numerous Government resume writers that are now abundantly available. Thanks in large part to the internet it is easier than ever to find these types of services and the help they provide could be the difference between landing your dream Government job or not. Although hiring a Government resume writer will mean that you have to come out of pocket and spend some money, if it lands you a Federal Government job then the money you spend on the resume will not seem like all that much.

Most Government jobs will require you to build your resume around the job announcement and doing this in the proper manner is a work of art in itself and is a task that is not easily accomplished. Government resume writers are those who have been working on the specific process that goes into crafting a good Government resume, some for many years. Because they are around Government works all the time, they will be abreast of all the changes that may be taking place and will be able to include or exclude something from your Government resume that you may have never even though of looking at.

It is extremely important that your Government resume be top notch because it is your resume that will effectively open up the door for your review and possible interview. There are also a number of items that will have to accompany your Government Resume such as your KSAs and this will all depend on the specific job in which you are applying for. Government resume writers will not only know how to tell if the job posting requires such additions, but they will also be able to help you create those items as well.

When you are trying to determine which Government resume writer you want to hire, don’t make the mistake of looking at the cost only. Prices will vary and so too will the skill level but a lower price will do you no good if your resume never gets a second glance. Make sure that the Government resume writer you are considering has a good reputation and has been around for a while.

The job market as a whole is a comparative place, but that competitiveness is greatly intensified when you venture into the Federal Government job market. These jobs are for the best of the best and in order to stand out from the crowd you have to have a top notch Government resume and all the extras that need to go along with it. You also need to be sure that everything is done according to Government preferences and in the correct format. While you may be able to figure this out on your own, why take the chance? To be sure you have the best opportunity possible simply do your homework, ask questions, and find the best Government resume writer you can.

Ways to Boost Your Resume Without Lying

With the job market as competitive as ever, it is very tempting to lie on your resume. However, this should never be considered an option. With so many qualified applicants, businesses are more likely do a more comprehensive background check. Fortunately, there are ways to boost your resume without lying. Remember, the goal of your resume is to get you an interview, not get you a job. With this in mind, there are simple solutions to solve even the biggest resume problems without lying.

1. Gaps in Employment

Large gaps in your employment history is one of the biggest potential turnoffs for a potential employer. Instead of lying and filling in gaps with experiences that you didn't have, justify the gaps that do exist. For example, one of the most common reasons for gaps in employment for women is that they took a few years off to take care of young children. Instead of saying that you took some time off for you kids, say that you took a break from the private sector to become more involved in the community. With kids, there is a large chance that you have done some volunteer work, so don't be afraid to use it to your advantage. Remember, everything that you do serves a purpose.

2. Education

Lying about your education has become a surprisingly common tactic. Unfortunately, schools have made it very easy for your employer to check you out. For example, lets say that you have completed 3 or 3+ years of college, but never graduated. Don't lie, instead tell employers why you didn't finish. For example, you took a full-time job that didn't allow you to finish your education. Additionally, always state you are currently pursuing to finish your degree online or through additional schooling.

3. Experience

While it may seem like a risk that you willing to take, if you lie about your previous experience it can get you in trouble. If you are asked to do XYZ, because you said that you could on your application, it will become obvious that you lied and you will likely get fired. The key is to focus on the highlights of your experience. If you were the lead server at a restaurant, you could say that you trained and managed a sales staff to ensure daily productivity. The importance is what you did, not where you did it.

4. Use Keywords

Make sure that you look through the job posting and company description and try to use the same keywords in your resume that you found in the ad. This will achieve two goals at once. First, it will get your resume past the scanners that many businesses are using to pre-qualify resumes. Second, your resume will look good to your potential employer because you have the exact skill set that they are looking for.

It is always tempting to lie on your resume, however it should be avoided at all costs. Businesses have more potential employees to choose from, which means more thorough background searches. Employ these 4 ways to boost your resume without lying.

Tip: read resume writing service reviews before choosing a resume writing service.

How to Practice Interviewing

You have your resumes out and the phone is starting to ring with potential employers wanting you to come in for a job interview. While the interview is the next logical step in obtaining a great paying job perhaps you are caught off guard just a bit and maybe you though that you had a little more time before the offers would come in.

Don’t panic! Just take a few deep breathes and conduct some good old fashioned practice before you go to the actual interview and you will be all set. While there are many methods for practicing for a job interview there are some that are more effective than others such as:

• Self Interview: Stand in front of a mirror and interview yourself. Play out the role of the interviewer and yourself of course. Ask yourself all the questions that you think the interviewer might ask you and then really pay attention to how you answer yourself and how your body language is. Be sure to ask yourself the question, ‘How would you describe yourself,’ as that question almost always pops up in an interview and is an easy on to stumble on. After you have completed the interview of yourself ask, ‘Would I hire me?’ If the answer is no then you need to continue this exercise.
• Friend Interview: While the first exercise is a great way to prepare for an interview, some people simply cannot effectively self-evaluate. If this describes you then you can always turn to those who are usually more than thrilled to point out your flaws for you; your closest friends. Write a list of questions down for a friend to ask you and then conduct a ‘mock’ interview. Go through the whole process from walking in and shaking hands to answering all the questions asked of you. At the end you can be sure that your friend will give you an honest opinion and you should not take what they are saying to be mean, but rather view it as constructive criticism that will allow you to fix any flaws before the actual interview. Besides it is better to hear your friend say that they wouldn’t hire you rather than the actual interviewer.
• Ask and Answer Out Loud: Another great way to practice for an interview is by writing down about 20 to 25 questions that you think you may be asked, read them out loud one by one, and answers them out loud one by one. The idea with this exercise is to have your answers sounding natural and not scripted. Also, by practicing the most commonly asked questions you will already have an idea of what to say if asked and will avoid the job killing words such as ummm and ahhh.

No matter how you decide to practice for your interview you do in fact need to practice. Don’t have the attitude of, ‘I’ll just wing it,’ as there are bound to be numerous candidates for the job you are seeking. By being prepared for your interview and speaking in a clear and concise manner you will automatically be one step ahead of the pack. Besides, as the old saying goes, ‘Practice makes perfect.’

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Why Resume Appearance Matters

The way that your resume is written is one of the most important factors in whether or not you will get any job interviews, but equally as important is the appearance of your resume. In order for your resume to get any eyeballs on it has to also be pleasing to those eyeballs.

So just what is in the ‘appearance’ of a resume? The appearance of a resume is the overall way that the resume is laid out. This layout includes:

• Font: What style font are you using? Don’t go too fancy, but don’t go too plain. Avoid a lot of bold and italics unless you are using the effects to help separate the sections of the resume.
• Spacing: If your resume is not properly spaced it will be too jumbled. If it is too jumbled then it can be difficult to read and will simply lead the person reviewing it to move on to the next resume.
• Grammar and Spelling: Nothing kills the appearance of a resume faster than bad grammar and spelling. Don’t just use spell check, but really go over your resume and be sure that it is properly edited before you give it to potential employers.
• Paper Quality: If you are physically giving your resume to someone don’t give it to them on low quality copy machine paper. Instead spend a little bit of money and get some higher quality paper that you use only for your resumes.
• Neatness: Are there any ink smudges on your resume? Did you accidentally drip something on the cover page? Always check to make sure that your resume is in perfect condition and nice and neat as submitting a messy one will likely see it hit the bottom of a trash can.

Having the appearance of your resume be the best it can be is extremely important, especially in a tougher job market. What you need to remember is that there will be multiple applicants for the job in which you are going after. Knowing that, you have to have every advantage you can muster in order to stand out. A great way to stand out from the get go is by turning in a resume that has a perfect appearance.

Put yourself in the shoes of the potential employer. If you were handed a resume that was nice and neat that read perfectly and looked great and then you were handed a sloppy looking error laden resume that appeared as though it was thrown together in a matter of five minutes, which applicant would you think about interviewing? As far as the potential employer is concerned, your resume is the only thing that they will know about you until they interview you. So your resume acts as your representative and you will of course want to be represented in the best possible manner.

In a sense there is nothing more important than having you resume appearance be flawless. While you may be able to dazzle anyone face to face, if your resume appearance is awful, you may never get that face to face chance.

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Simply Fired – What to do When You’ve Been Let Go

Getting fired or let go from your job is never an easy pill to swallow. However, with the economy the way it is and businesses cutting back instead of expanding, being let go has unfortunately become a way of life. So what the heck do you do when you’ve been let go?

First things first; take a day and just relax and get your thoughts together. Losing your job may be a big deal, but it is not the end of your working life. After you have taken a day you need to then formulate a plan to get back into the work place as fast as you can. Here are some of the things you should do once you have been let go:

• Seek Unemployment: Depending on the circumstances of your lay off you may be eligible to receive unemployment benefits. This is no doubt a humbling experience but the benefits are there for a reason and though you will not receive nearly what you were making at your former job, at least the benefits will provide you with something while you look for a new job.
• Get Your Resume Ready: Take some time and brush up your resume. Really give it a good going over as it may have been some time since you last used it. Make sure that everything is up to date and that the resume reads as well as possible and above all else, don’t forget to proof read it. If you need help, hire a professional resume service - the expense will be worth it.
• Distribute Your Resume: Once you feel your resume is up to par you then need to distribute it. You can post it on job boards such as Monster.com and Hotjobs.com but you also want to begin to fax it or e-mail it to potential employers that are looking to hire.
• Network: Let everyone in your social and work circles know that you are actively looking for a new job. All it takes is one person knowing the right opportunity exists and you will be back to the daily grind before you know it.
• Attend Job Fairs: If you look you will find an abundance of job fairs that go on right in your own back yard. These are wonderful opportunities for you to network, pass out some resumes, and even possibly discover a job that you may not have ever thought about but would certainly enjoy doing.
• Practice Interviewing: You will eventually get interviews for different positions and you may need to brush up on your interviewing skills. The perfect way to do this is to look in the mirror and interview yourself. Ask yourself questions and then answer them honestly. Would you hire yourself? If the answer is no then the potential employer would probably say the same thing. Keep at it as practice makes perfect.

Getting the pink slip, getting the axe, being let go, getting fired; however you say the words it is no fun. But with some dedicated work and a lot of tenacity on your part you can get back in the workplace in no time at all. Just remember to keep a positive attitude and an open mind and then get out there and find your new job.

How to Find Engineering Jobs

While it is true that the world is undergoing an economic crises, it can still be said that there is a need for people who are going to rebuild the world market from the ground up, and one such group of people are the engineers.

Engineering jobs may be a little difficult to come by these days but they’re the kind of industry that will never go out of style and will never be done without. So for those who are looking out for jobs in engineering, here are a few ways in which you can find a job that suits your particular area of engineering.

How the Bigwigs do it

Most of the big multinational companies find their engineers by going directly to educational institutions. They do this by going on campus tours and visiting different universities to entice qualified engineering students to apply for the career opportunities that they are offering. Some firms deal directly or have tie-ups with specific engineering departments or course their offers through faculty members. Other ways of recruiting through universities include posting notices on public bulletin boards or online notice boards, while others attend on campus recruitment fairs and giving talks that promote their company to potential applicants.

This is particularly helpful to those who are still studying or are about to graduate. Since most of the big companies bring their career openings to schools, graduating students headed for careers in engineering should take advantage of this great opportunity.

Another route that engineering students can take is through internships. Often, on-the-job training is one way to get your foot through the door and be able to show your potential employer how valuable you are as an engineering asset to the company. Internships also help you make connections with people in the same industry that will be able to help you find work in the future.

The Media is your friend

Because not everyone can benefit from attending on campus job fairs and not all jobs can be found within the ranks of the big multinationals, jobseekers must expand their means for job hunting by looking at other ways in which they can find jobs.

One such way is by looking through different forms of media, of which the Internet may be emerging as one of the most powerful and effective. Jobseekers can hit a gold mine of engineering jobs by checking daily with general job boards as well as niche job boards.

General job boards include such popular web sites as Careerbuilder.com and Monster.com. These are big websites where engineering companies as well as employers from different industries can post their job openings and where jobseekers can apply for the open posts. Niche job boards on the other hand are more specialized since they focus either on specific skills like engineering, or specific areas, like the different cities in the USA. Niche job boards may not hold as many jobs as the major job sites but they are more tailored to a specific criterion like industry and locality.

Another useful medium for seeking engineering jobs is print advertisement in newspapers. Most small companies and government departments looking for employees with an engineering background post their job openings in newspapers. Checking your local paper daily will give you an idea of which companies are looking to hire.

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Cheap Resume Services – Are They Worth the Risk?

The time you went and offered your self out on a chance to grab a job, did you bother thinking that if you had paid for cheap resume services that you could’ve still been unemployed till you actually make a real resume? Well that seems to be the problem when it comes to understanding what a resume signifies, a resume is a document bearing all your achievement, talents, and accomplishments in your past occupations as well as the place of where you studied your skill and so on and so forth, it should be handled and made with consideration and care since it is as important as the diploma you photocopied and stapled right on it.

How damaging can cheap resume services be to your chances of getting employment when you are at that stage where the newspaper is your best friend and your eyes are skimming through the wanted ads every single day while you eat up into your savings? It is severely damaging. You think to your self you’ve saved yourself the huge cost of actually availing a decent resume service by forking up $50s and leaving it in their hands. Unfortunately, you didn’t know that as your resume keeps getting pushed aside or off the company boss’s table, you eat away into your saved up left over cash you had put away just in case of emergency and as the days turn to weeks and so forth, you are just exhausting that fail-safe cash relying on a resume made by a factory which did not know all your qualities and talents, merely placing the robotic answers of your name, your age, your place of birth, etc.

Company bosses who wish to hire employees want to see people with potential in their companies and if your resume was made by cheap resume services, they can’t see that potential in you. Your resume must have artistic hints of your uniqueness and quality, it reflects on you as a human being and if it’s as plain as a help wanted poster, what could draw the company boss to even consider your resume as something he can acknowledge in respect. If you don’t have time to make a good resume, the company boss doesn’t have time to look at it either. Don’t be lazy and give some serious effort into making an appropriate resume because if it lands you a job, it can finally end your worries of if you might be eating next week or not.

Unemployment is hard to deal with, it is a flat lined moment in your life where hope looked bleak and depended on who would want your ability or skill. It all relies on your resume and if you had availed cheap resume services to deal with that important document, you might as well had shredded it because it won’t land you one decent look from the boss’ eyes onto your paper. There are good resume services out there but though the prices are sometimes beyond understanding, it’s the quality that counts. You need a good resume to get a job that suits your salary bracket and if it takes a little monetary sacrifice on your part to get it then all you can do is risk it. You are unemployed, you have nothing to lose. Cheap resume services are mostly factory-made resumes that don’t take into consideration what other quality resume services acknowledge, like which talents to show, which achievements to highlight, etc. You should think twice before sitting down and relaxing as a cheap resume was passing by countless tables and landing in the trashcan or floor.

Conducting a Job Search in Secret

At some point in your professional life you may find that you are not quite where you want to be and you may therefore decide that you need to conduct a job search in order to find a better opportunity for yourself. The problem is that you don’t want anyone to find out about your job search for fear that you may lose the position that you currently hold. Really then you find yourself in the position of finding a new job but doing so in secret.

This may sound like it is impossible to accomplish, but if you go about just the right way it can be done. No you can’t go about looking for a new job in the traditional sense such as posting your resume online for fear that your employer might see it o look through the classifieds on your lunch break, but there a number of strategies that you can implement that should keep your name out of the boss’ office such as:

• Use Personal Contacts: Many professional jobs are found through personal contacts lending credit to the term, ‘It’s all about who you know.’ If you are seeking a new job and want to keep it on the down low then dig deep into your network. You will of course need to be sure that who you are contacting is not going to let your current employer know that you are seeking employment elsewhere and if you aren’t sure if they will or not, then use someone else.
• Work with Recruiters: Working with job recruiters can take a lot of hassle and worry out of your secret job search. Because a recruiter represents certain companies they will have insights on positions that may fit your skills perfectly. Additionally you can supply the recruiter with all of your information instead of posting it online for the world, and perhaps your boss, to see. Recruiters can also do much of the leg work for you as far as finding positions and setting up interviews goes, which is good because if you are seeking a job in secret you can’t be doing this yourself while you are at work. Just be sure that the recruiter you are working with doesn’t represent the company you are trying to leave.
• Post an Ad: Instead of posting your resume with your name smattered all over it, try posting an ad instead. This may not garish as many interviews as some processes, but it does help to get the word out covertly that you are looking for a job and it lets any potential employers know exactly what you are looking for. To start you can place a ‘position wanted’ ad in your local newspaper but you shouldn’t stop there. Find a trade magazine or two within your industry and post the same ad there for increased exposure. Again, be sure that any publications that you post ads in are not in your current place of business.

While finding a job without it being a secret is hard enough, doing it stealth like is even harder. However, with a little finesses and some determination you can conduct a job search in secret and still be successful doing so.

Why Your Resume will be Thrown Away

You know you need a strong resume in order to get considered for a job, but there are a number of factors that will have your resume thrown away faster then it lands on the potential employer’s desk for consideration. Knowing what not to put on your resume and what mistakes to avoid can mean the difference of the sound of your phone ringing for an interview or the sound the trash can makes when your resume hits it.

Really what you put in your resume is what will determine whether or not the potential employer will be interested enough in you to call you in for an interview, so you want your resume to be strong and filled with useful information that will allow the potential employer to get a true glimpse into that which is you.

Conversely, there are things that you want to omit and there are things that you want to be sure are right or your resume may get trashed. Here are some things that will get your resume thrown away and thus are things you want to avoid:

• Bad Grammar and Misspellings: It is not enough to simply do a spell check at the end of your resume writing day. In order to be sure that your resume is spelling and grammar perfect you have to edit, edit, and then edit some more. After you have reviewed it, give it someone you know to review it. Remember, you only get one shot at making a great impression with your resume so make it count.
• Use of Slang: No matter how hip and cool you may be, don’t use slang terms in your resume. This can turn off a potential employer rather quickly and have them filing your resume at the bottom of their trash can. Because you are trying to get a job you should be writing in a professional tone and save the slang for your personal life.
• Lack of Relevancy: When a potential employer reads your resume you want them to think of all the reasons you would be perfect for the job. If your resume is filled with all sorts of irrelevant information in regards to the job in which you are applying for then it will likely not get to see the light of day.
• Sloppiness: When you read through something you want it to be nice and neat and broken up so that it is easy and pleasant to read right? Well that is precisely what a potentials employer will be looking for as well. If you turn in a resume that has no logic or structure to it, it will not be pleasant to read and probably won’t get much attention at all.

In today’s job market there are going to be a good number of people that want the same job that you are after. A potential employer will cut to the chase as quickly as possible so that they can get to the most qualified applicants right away. If your resume is not in ship shape then you will not get a consideration and your resume along with many others will see nothing but the dumpster.

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Best Websites for Employment Articles

It seems that when you are hunting for a job everyone has a piece of advice to give, but what are the best websites for gaining valuable employment advice that is free for the taking? Simply conducting a Google or Ping search for ‘employment advice’ will yield you far too many choices to weed through and you could spend the better part of a week trying to decide which websites will offer you the best advice in your quest for employment.

While the choices are vast when it comes to websites that offer quality employment advice there are several that seem to always stand out on any list that ever gets compiled. These websites are easy to use and are full of valuable information that is sure to help you find you way in the crazy employment market that is currently taking place. Here is a breakdown of the top websites for employment advice:

• Careerbuilder.com: Careerbuilder.com has a section for both people who are looking for a job as well as a section for employers who are looking to hire. Additionally, the website offers free advice on both sided of the employment gauntlet and is a very interactive and easy to use website. Because Careerbuilders.com works with some of the top employment agencies in the world the advice they give is both in depth and plentiful. Once on the home page there is an ‘advice and resources’ button that will take you to a section filled with various tid bits of information broken down by certain categories.
• Monster.com: You may already know that Monster.com is a great place to post your resume online and have it be available to thousands of potential employers, but you may not know that they have a special section with employment articles for giving job seekers advice on finding the perfect job. On the home page of the website you will see a tab that is labeled ‘advice.’ One click is all it will take and you will then be led to a smorgasbord of information, tips, tricks, and the like, all designed with one thing in mind; helping you get a job.
• HotJobs.com: HotJobs.com works in conjunction with Yahoo and they too have a special section filled with all kinds of resources that you can use to help you obtain a job. On the home page they have a button labeled ‘career tools’ which will take you to a section loaded with helpful information. Along with advice on finding a job, you will also be able to take advantage of the advice they offer on everything from preparing the perfect resume to what to expect in a job interview.

While there are a lot more websites that offer free employment articles online there will not be any others that offer the amount and quality that these three do. Because they are such big names and work with big corporations, recruiters, and a huge data base of people looking for work they are filled with an endless supply of knowledge that can be tapped whenever you want for free.

Government Resume Guidelines

Because going to work for the Government is totally different then going to work in the private sector it therefore makes sense that a Government resume will be totally different as well. In order to give yourself the best possible chance at landing the Government position of your dreams you have to be sure that you are following proper guidelines with your Government resume.

Federal recruiters will grade your Government Resume using a very specific point system based on the FQS, or Federal Qualifications Standard method. Using this method the recruiters will match the most qualified applicant according to education and related work experience. Therefore it is of utmost importance that you follow the guidelines to the letter if you wish to have your resume reviewed.

Each Government resume must be structured so it will follow the Government guidelines and has to basically be custom tailored around the specific job announcement and must also include all the information that the announcement requires.

Though it is said that the standard resume should be no longer than a page unless absolutely necessary, a Government resume will contain much more needed information and will therefore be much longer. Here is what must be in every Government resume:

• Information about the Job: This will include the announcement number of the job and the job title.
• Your Information: You will be required to give your name, contact information, your social security number, and your country of citizenship.
• Government Experience: If you have any past Government experience you will be required to provide the highest grade you attained.
• Other Education: You will list all degrees you have obtained along with any training specific to the job posting.
• Your Experience: Here is the perfect opportunity for you to list anything and everything that is relevant and will show that you are the perfect candidate for the specific job posting. If you have relevant work experience in the private sector that will translate over to the Government job you are trying to get then be sure to list that.
• Everything Else: You can also list if you are a veteran. You will want to further include anything else that is relevant to the job announcement. Do not include anything that is irrelevant even if it is an outstanding award. Nothing gets a Government resume tossed faster than irrelevant information.

These days Government recruiters use a keyword searching software called Resumix in order to help weed through the sometimes hundreds of resumes that are turned in for one Government job posting. For this reason it is important that you use specific keywords that will relate to the job posting so that your resume has a better chance of standing out.

Depending on the job posting you may also need to obtain and fill out all the pertinent KSAs –Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities- and then turn those in with your Government resume. If KSAs are required, it will be listed as such in the job announcement.

While a Government resume is certainly more time consuming and much more detail oriented in comparison with a traditional resume, you must follow the guidelines for success. Failure to do so will have you disqualified at a rather fast pace and leave you to have to wait for the next time your dream Government job opens up.

Career Advice for College Graduates

Nothing beats the feeling of putting in your time and studying your tail off and becoming a college graduate; that is until you realize that you now have to find a career. The good news is you have a degree and are already off to a great start in the wonderful world of work. The bad news is you are ‘wet behind the ears,’ have no experience, and are about to embark on a job hunting expedition in one of the toughest job markets in the history of the country.

While having you degree is certainly nice just remember, it does not guarantee you a job. Here are some friendly suggestions for you when you are seeking your new career path:

• Aim High but Appropriately: Don’t try to become the president of the company right out of the box. You have to realize that you may have to start as entry level. Even though you have a degree you will still need to work your way up to some extent. Once you get your foot in the door of the company you are interested in then you can use your skills and ability to quickly climb the corporate ladder if that is your desire. But nothing in life comes easy; you have to be willing to work for it.

• Create Experience: If you are trying to get into an industry that requires ‘experience’ how are you supposed to get that experience without obtaining the job? Get creative here and think outside the box. You can volunteer within the industry and this can give you some much needed experience for your resume. Another way to learn but also earn is to try to find an internship in your chosen profession. While these ways will not make you rich, they will give you the experience you need to get a better position down the road.

• Don’t Get Frustrated: Again this is one of the toughest job markets to date. If you find that you are not being considered for the jobs you want, don’t get discouraged and give up. Keep at it. Tenacity is the name of the game, especially in a weaker job market.

• Be Open Minded: While a college degree certainly looks great on your resume you should always be open to the idea of furthering your education. This can be in the way of job specific schooling or training or even in a couple of online college classes that will help you in your chosen career industry. One thing you can never have too much of when it comes to work is knowledge.

• Find your Passion: If you find yourself on a career path that is not to your liking then you may need to consider a change. Even if you think you may want to go one way, once you are there you may want to go another. There is nothing wrong with this and being happy at what you do for a living goes a long way in being happy in life.

While it may have seemed like an eternity to get to where you are now, your life has just begun. Enjoy the fact that you have accomplished your goal of obtaining a college degree, but do not revel too long. You have many other accomplishments to look forward to in your life and your chosen career path so get out there and go get them.

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Finding a Government Job – Offline is the Key

Before you can polish up your Government resume and start practicing what you will say at your Government job interview you have to know where to find a Government job opportunity and many times offline is the key. This may take some getting used to terms of thinking as many people these days find anything and everything they are looking for online through the wonderful World Wide Web. While the Internet remains a great source to look for a Government job it should be complimented greatly with an offline search as well.

There are several ways to go about looking for a Government job offline and the method that best suits you will all be determined by the type of person you are. Here are some different ways in which you can work the offline angle in an effort to find a Government job:

• Network: No this doesn’t mean ‘computer network.’ This means networking with anyone and everyone you know and getting the fact that you are seeking a Government job out there. This is where you have to really rack your brain. Who do you know that might be able to help you in your Government job search? Perhaps a friend who is already working for the government at any level? This type of friend could prove to be n invaluable resource as they will know the process of getting a Government job and may be able to point you in the right direction as far to where to look and who to talk to.

• Government Buildings: If you live near a Government building then it definitely pays to take the time and visit. There you will almost always find a bulletin board that has postings of Government jobs available right in your own back yard. If you have trouble finding this ask the receptionist at the help desk where in the building it is. They will show you where to find the bulletin board and may also be able to tell you what other Government buildings in the area have the same thing. These bulletin boards are a great way to get a jump on the competition because the job postings usually go up on the bulletin board before they go live online and some never make it to the web whatsoever.

• Job Fairs: Yes the Government takes advantage of job fairs too. A job fair can be a wonderful opportunity for you to not only see what Government jobs are available, but they also allow you the opportunity to ask questions directly to the recruiters themselves. This is a golden opportunity for you to find out what a specific job will entail, what will be expected of you, and what the review board will be looking for. It also gives you yet another opportunity to network.

Going online is great and it certainly saves a huge amount of time and energy for many instances, but it has its place. If you want to find a Government job you have to pull out all the stops. Not only should you be conducting your hunt online but you should also be getting out of your cocoon and conducting your search offline as well; and offline is really the key.

Learn how to write a proper government resume before you apply for any government job.

Top Five Questions about KSA Writing

When you are attempting to obtain Government employment, more time than not you will be required to complete KSAs and turn them in with your Government resume. KSAs are a very important piece of the Government job puzzle as they will be looked at by reviewers in order to determine who the best candidates for a specific job posting are and this will determine who gets an interview and who gets left out in the cold.

While there are many questions that arise about KSA writing there are five that usually crop up more often than not. The top five KSA writing questions are:

1. What are KSAs: KSAs stand for Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities and are a sort of sub-application that needs to be completed in order to obtain Government work. The KSAs will delve into your qualifications for a specific job posting by having you answer questions about yourself and your background.

2. What Questions are asked on the KSAs: The questions you will have to answer for the KSAs all depend on the job in which you are applying for. Each job posting will carry a different set of KSA questions that will be relevant to that specific job posting.

3. How Long Should Each Answer be: Unless it is stated, there is no minimum or maximum that is required, but a good rule of thumb is making sure that every answer is between half of a page to a full page in length. But remember, KSAs are an intricate part of obtaining Government work and the answers you give must be enough to set you apart from the other applicants which can reach the hundreds depending on the job posing. Only put in the answer what is important and avoid adding filler or fluff to make the answer longer.

4. What Should be Included in a KSA Answer: Again this depends on the job posting. Any answer you give needs to show relevancy towards the job in which you are trying to obtain. Your answers need to be clear and concise and you should avoid such costly mistakes as acronyms and slang. Be sure that the answers read intelligently, but stay away from using words and phrases that are too big as this will not fit properly into the answers. The last thing you want with you KSAs is to come off sounding too much like a know it all.

5. Where can Help be Found: Because KSAs are so important you absolutely have to be sure that your answers are top drawer. If you do not feel comfortable answering some of the questions it may be in your best interest to employ the use of a KSA writing service. These professionals will have had many years of experience and will know what the KSA reviewers are looking for.

When it comes to obtaining Government work you will have an abundance of competition. Government jobs are highly sought after and because of that many times you will have hundreds of applicant competing for the same posting. To ensure that you stand out from the large crowd you have to be sure that your Government resume is sparking and that your KSAs are as well.

Make Your Federal Resume Stand Out

Making your Federal resume stand out is of utmost importance if you are hoping to land that Federal position you have your eye on. It is not enough to just turn in a Federal resume in the proper format any more, though that does help. In order for a Federal resume to be useful it must be concise, clear, to the point, and most of all relevant to the position you are applying for.

You have to understand that there will be many, possibly hundreds, of other applicants and without a Federal resume that really pops you probably won’t make it very far in the eyes of the reviewers. Here are some ways that you can really make your Federal resume stand out from the rest that will be on the pile:

• Be Truthful: While you never want to lie on any resume you especially don’t want to lie on a Federal resume; it is the government for crying out loud. Their resources are vast and your information will be checked so be honest with yourself and if you are not qualified for a position, then don’t apply.
• Be Relevant: You may have all sorts of great information that you can out on your Federal resume, but if it is not relevant to the job posting, then leave it out. It doesn’t matter what information you give, it needs to be relevant as irrelevant information will see your Federal resume hit the bottom of the trash can fast.
• Be Concise: Yes you certainly want to stand out but if you use too many big words and phrases you may come off as a bit of a show off or know it all. This has a tendency to annoy the reviewers and if you do that your chances of landing your dream Federal job are going to be very slim.
• Mold and Create: A Federal resume is not like a regular resume in that there is no ‘one size fits all.’ With Federal resumes you have to create and mold the resume to be all about the job posting you are applying for. Instead of thinking of your Federal resume in a cookie cutter approach, think of it in a custom made approach.
• Mention all Strengths: No matter how much relevance you may think you have included in your Federal resume, try to find some more. You have to look beyond schooling as everyone applying will have similar qualifications in this area. What makes you stand out? Perhaps some relevant volunteer work? Whenever you get the chance to mention a strength that is relevant to the posting you should take full advantage and do so.
• Use Proper Formatting: remember that this is a Federal resume and is going to require a unique format that will not be the same as your standard resume. Be sure that you are turning in your Federal resume in the proper format so that your resume has a fair chance of being viewed.

Now more than ever, the Federal resume is lending a lot of weight as to who gets a Federal job and who gets left out in the cold. Be sure that your Federal resume is done right and that it really pops in order to give yourself the best possible chance of landing that Federal position that you have always wanted.

What is Resumix and how do I Use it?

Agencies such as the Army, Navy, Coast Guard, Air Force, and the Department of Commerce now rely on a resume system known as Resumix to aid in the hiring process. The implementation of this system was done to help ease the recruitment process on both the recruit and the recruiter side. A Resumix resume is much different than that of a traditional resume in regards to the layout as the Resumix resume will later be scanned instead of reviewed by a person and the scanning software will only be looking for certain keywords and phrases.

Resumix resumes are submitted online and kept in a database regardless of whether or not they contain the proper information. However, if you do submit a Resumix resume that is not properly formatted it will never see the light of day or be reviewed.

To take advantage of the Resumix resume program you need to use an online resume builder to submit your information and thus create a Resumix resume. This process actually eliminates the need for KSAs to be submitted in some, but not all, circumstances. The nice thing about having your Resumix resume stored is that you can apply for multiple positions using the same resume by utilizing a self-nomination process.

Resumix will automatically match the skills you have listed with the skills that are required form a certain posting so it is of utmost importance that your Resumix resume contains all the relevant information and keywords. For this reason it is best to spell out certain skills and don’t get too simple or complex with any verbiage.

Now here’s the trick; you have to write your Resumix resume so that it will first catch the attention of the computer scanning software, but it must also be written so that a person can understand it. This is because the Resumix system only eliminates human interaction at the first level and once a resume is flagged for review, it is an actual person who will be conducting the review before an interview is granted. This can be easier said than done, but fortunately there are a number of services online today that offer Resumix resume help.

Obtaining help from a professional may be a route you want to consider as you will want to make sure that you have a well written Resumix resume that can appeal to the scanning software and the reviewer as well, but more than that there are certain rules for Resumix resumes depending on what agency you wish to apply for. For example the Navy Resumix will allow you to submit five pages, but the Army Resumix will only allow you to submit three. Here again, if you don’t do it right, you don’t stand a chance.

While it was designed to both streamline and ease the hiring process, Resumix can be somewhat confusing. Working with a professional Resumix resume writer can help you to ensure that the resume you submit will not only be accepted, but also viewed; hopefully multiple times.

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Government Resume Writing Tips

Government resume writing needs to be clear, concise and to the point. More than that though, your government resume has to be relevant to the Federal job you are applying for. With the upcoming phasing out of the KSAs it is now more important than ever to make sure that your government resumes is a custom fit for the position you seek.

Here are some government resume writing tips to remember when preparing yours:

• Mold your government resume: Adapt your government resume to fit the position you are applying for. Nothing is a quicker death when seeking a Federal job than a resume that has no relevance to the position. This will increase in importance once the KSAs are totally phased out.

• Keep it clear: You definitely want your government resume to stand out, but don’t get carried away. Use words and phrases that are clear cut, concise, and to the point. Don’t get caught up using phrases that are too complex as this can vex a potential Federal employer.

• Condense: Instead of long drawn out paragraphs, fill your government resume with indented bullet points and focused statements. The idea is to get the potential Federal employer to read your entire resume and not to bore them.

• Highlight your strengths: Mention your relevant strengths in any way you can. This may be done by more than job experience, like with volunteer work you have done or your specific education background. If you have a chance to mention a relevant strength, do so.

• Eliminate irrelevant information: Even if the information is favorable to you, if it has absolutely no relevance to the Federal job you are applying for, don’t bother with it.

• Avoid clutter: If you are reading something you want it to be easy to read and not cluttered up right? The same goes for the individuals reviewing your government resume. Be sure to use spaces between sections and use headings to organize all of the different details on your government resume. An easy to read resume will get reviewed long before one that is cluttered.

• Don’t lie: This is a good rule of thumb for anything in life, but especially when writing your government resume. There is nothing wrong with making yourself sound good, but be careful that you don’t exaggerate the truth or flat out lie. The last thing you want is to get flagged for lying as this will no doubt lead to you looking elsewhere for employment.

• Use keywords and phrases: Use keywords and phrases that Federal employers like to see. A government resume chalk full of these keywords and phrases will get more looks and thus more of a consideration for the position.

Remember, your government resume is your story and if not told properly you will find yourself on the outside looking in. With the soon to come phasing out of the KSAs, individuals will now have to be sure that their government resumes are up to speed. Ensuring that you have a well written and good looking government resume will ensure that you get more interviews, which will lead to the Federal job that you have always longed for.

Getting a Job without Experience

If you are trying to find a new job but you lack the experience that many potential employers are looking for then you may be in for a frustrating time. There are however ways to get a job without prior experience it will simply take some tenacity, imagination, and patience on your part.

Filling out a million applications and submitting them will generally not work when you have little to no experience to offer anyone especially if you are shooting too high and are expecting too much right out of the gates. But you can perform certain tasks before you ever apply for a job that will help you be more appealing in the eyes of potential employers. Here are a few tips to help you beat the ‘no experience’ conundrum:

• Volunteer: One of the easiest ways to gain valuable experience is to volunteer in a field that will teach you the skills you need to have in order to obtain a certain job. For example, if you want to become a customer service representative somewhere then volunteer at a homeless shelter to serve food. This will give you plenty of experience dealing with people and you can then use this experience to try to land the job you are after.
• Look for Internships: Ever heard of the term, ‘Climb the corporate ladder?’ Instead of going for the gusto and applying for a job in which you have zero qualifications, apply to be an intern for that position. If you want to become a radio personality, apply to be an intern at a radio station for a summer. You won’t get paid much, but what you will gain is valuable skills which will later translate into experience and possibly a great paying job in the field you are interested in.
• Start small: This goes with the last point. Instead of thinking you are going to become the president of the company in the first year, do whatever it takes to get your foot in the door. If you have to work in the mail room for a little while, do that. Once your foot is in the door you can begin to explore other opportunities at the company. Many companies like to promote within and if you show you are willing to start at the bottom and that you are a hard worker and a fast learner then you have a great chance of making it to the top one day. The business world is full of stories like this such as a regional manger of a grocery store chain starting out as a bag boy with the company and working his way to the top after years of hard work and dedication. Sometimes, it is all about loyalty.

It is possible to find a job without any experience; it just may not be the job you want for the long term. But by implementing your imagination and a little thing called patience you too can have the job of your dreams; it just might take a bit longer than you anticipated.

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Job Interviewing After 50

If you are over the age of 50 and are actively seeking a new job you may have noticed that it is harder than you ever remember finding a job. You may have heard terms such as you are overqualified and the like but what it all boils down to is that many 30 something year olds don’t want to hire someone who reminds them of their parents.

If you are finding it increasingly difficult to interview, fear not, there is hope for you yet to land a great job and age has nothing to do with it. Basically it is all in how you present yourself. Here is how you too can improve your chances in an interview even if you are over 50:

• Sell Yourself: When in an interviewer it is important to try to sell yourself by giving yourself a brand image. This will address the ever important question that all interviewers ask themselves, ‘What’s in it for me?’ This brand image should be summarized in a few short sentences and address the issues of who you are, what your biggest strengths are, and most importantly what you bring to the table.
• Show Passion: Never have the attitude that you are desperate for work and instead approach the interview as though this is something you have wanted to do your whole life. If you show that you are indeed passionate about learning and working it will convey your commitment as a hard worker and will likely garner more good than bad.
• Down Play the Long Term: Many employers today are looking for a quick fix to their employee problems and are not really interested in how long you plan on staying with the company. Instead of harping on the fact that you are a long term player, harp on your skills and show the potential employer how you can be the quick fix they are looking for. Worry about your longevity at the company later; just get your foot in the door first.
• Don’t Talk too Much: Because you have worked in the ‘field’ for so many generations you undoubtedly have many wonderful sorties to share, but the interview may not be the best place to do so. Stick to answering what is asked of you and save your stories for the water cooler after you get the job.
• Talk Money: There is saying that money talks; it actually screams. Money trumps everything including your age so make sure that you convey to the potential employer what you can do for the money you expect. Bottom line is, that if you offer more bang for their buck then they probably won’t care how old you are.

Finding a job at any age can be a real challenge and the challenge only gets tougher as your age progresses. But if you approach an interview with a sound strategy using the tips provided you can have the potential employer thinking more about your skills and how those skills can help the company than they are thinking about your age.

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

Job Blogs worth Reading

A great way to get a leg up on the competition when seeking out a new job is to see what the job blogs have to offer. If you conduct a Google, Yahoo, or Bing search looking for job blogs you will be bombarded with millions of returns. Some are worth reading every single day and most are quite simply a waste of your time, but how do you know which job blogs are worth reading?

While you can always go onto the bigger job sites such as Career Builder and Mosnster.com to read over their blogs, those tend to be a bit more impersonal. Here are some job blogs that will provide you with a wealth of information using some traditional methods and some not so traditional methods:

• Personal Branding: This blog is all about helping you to brand yourself and your image. These days it is not enough to have great skills and a wonderful resume. Employers are now going after those who can best ‘market’ themselves and their skills and convey why they will make the perfect fit for the position.
• CAREEREALISM: The creator of this blog states that it was created because the old methods of job searching simply don’t work anymore. The blog has many video entries and often features guest blogs by some of the top names in the job seeking industry. The blog offers cutting edge advice on first finding, then keeping a great job.
• JobGoRound: The author of this blog writes ideas and tips for those looking to shift gears in their career life. Because staying at the same job for a lifetime is a notion that is not seen much these days it is important to know when to look for other opportunities and how to go about it.
• Penelope Trunk’s Brazen Careerist: Trunk is known for her ability to use personal experiences within the blog and offers a lot of conventional wisdom about career choices. She also tells it like it is and never candy-coats anything which is a refreshing change from many of the job blogs out today.
• Punk Rock HR: The author of this blog has done time for various Fortune 500 companies and writes about those experiences in the blog. HR, which is an acronym for human resources, is often the first point of contact for someone seeking a job at a company. The author’s witty and often funny insight sheds light on the other side of the fence helping you be prepared for what is to come and what is to be expected of you.

Once again there are many other job blogs that you can view but you will be hard-pressed to find many that rival the wit, talent, and flat out accuracy of these job blogs. While a good job tip is a good job tip, a good job blog is an almost endless supply of good job tips and will help even the most novice of job seekers find a career that they can really sink their teeth into.

Learn more job search strategies on the JobGoRound.com job search blog.

Fastest Growing Career Fields

Whether you are just entering the workforce or you are a seasoned pro who is looking for a change of pace, it helps to know what the fastest growing career fields are. Entering a fast growing career field means that you will have plenty of room for advancement and that your job will not be in danger of going anywhere any time soon.

While the list of fast growing career fields seems to be subject to change with every passing year, there are some fields that appear to be standing the test of time and are consistently making all the top job lists. These career fields include:

• Health Care: As the baby-boomers begin to show their age the demand for health care will be steadily increasing. Registered nurses are typically at the front of the line when it comes to top job openings in the field, but the future will bring the need for many areas of medicine. While many positions in the health care industry do require a lot of schooling, others simply require a two-year degree or less.
• Technology: Because the world of technology is always changing there will always be new career opportunities for those who are tech savvy. What is common place today such as cellular phones and lap top computers were taboo not 25 years ago. The future will inevitably always be bringing more technologies to the forefront and those who get involved early will probably be best rewarded.
• Law Enforcement: The needed increase in law enforcement is unfortunately a product of our environment. With the threat of terror attacks and crime on the rise due to poor economic conditions, many openings will be available in the law enforcement area. From homeland security, to prison guard, and everything in between each will carry a heavy weight of responsibility but will also help to keep the country and local communities safe.
• Science: Thanks in large part to technology, science will probably find its way on this list more times than not. New advances in genetics and other areas of high tech science will create a multitude of opportunities for those with an analytical mind.
• Education: As the populating seems to be making a comeback and there are now more children in daycare then in recent history then it stands to reason that once those children reach the age to attend elementary school, there will be an increased need for teachers. If you are not interested in becoming a teacher, there will be other area such as teacher’s aides, special education assistants, and physical education instructors that will also need to be addressed by the school system in America.

While each job on the list represents its own set of standards and requirements, they also represent terrific opportunities to get into a field that is rapidly advancing now and will more than likely be advancing in the future as well. As the years go on and new job markets come and go, these jobs will always have a need to be filled and can give you a great career that will not soon fade away.

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