Resume Trends For 2012

Employment numbers for November of 2011 showed great improvements in the numbers of jobs created that exceeded expectations. The job market did so well that unemployment dropped from around 9 percent to 8.6 percent. These figures gave analysts optimism for economic growth and improved employment for 2012.  If conditions remain positive, job seekers will need to use updated practices for their resumes to compete for openings in the coming year.

Be Specific. Gone are the days of using generic self-promoting terms like "motivated", "team player" and "detail oriented". This is the era of transparency where employers are seeking employees that will help them generate revenue, save money and protect assets. Time is becoming the most valuable commodity in business and hiring authorities want to see numbers and achievements where candidates helped productivity and improved efficiency. Resumes can also be customized to the position being sought to show how well the job seeker matches the employer's needs. 

Use video. The ability to produce videos online has become so easy that about 48 hours of video is uploaded to the website youtube every minute. Job seekers are taking advantage of this by making video resumes to show off their achievements and personality to employers. Video resumes allow job seekers the opportunity to show their presentation skills and demeanor. Video resumes make an impact to employers and help job seekers stand out.

Employing social media. In 2011 social media helped organize mass social protests and brought down heads of state. Social media is becoming a common way for candidates to promote themselves. Job seekers need to use all means available to grab the attention of recruiters. Sites like Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn can help update career highlights and connect with professionals. These help augment the résumé by making you a more memorable candidate. It is important to maintain online presence to reflect professionalism as companies increasingly use social media to screen applicants.

Incorporate Your Brand In The Resume

One of the features that has been prominent in the last few years for job seekers is defining themselves though a professional brand. The brand refers to the skills and values that an applicant brings to the workplace as an individual. Much like products seen at a grocery store the brand is used to distinguish a job seeker from other candidates. It shows employers what you can bring to them to ensure success as an employee.  The professional brand should not only reflect what you can bring that makes an immediate impact but also what long term features you can contribute to the hiring authority's productivity. There are ways that your personal brand can be inserted into a resume that conveys the message and gets you noticed.

1. Make A Statement. In a targeted resume, the job title being sought is listed first. This should be folowed by a statement of the benefits you bring to the company and why. It is started with an action verb and uses career related statements. For example if seeking a job as a media salesperson, the position sought would be followed with a statement like:"Poised to bring exceptional sales and revenue through relationship building and  persistent record of acheivement".

2. Support Your Brand. Your initial statement sets the tone for your brand. You can sustain this through consistent messaging in your resume. A Career Highlights or Performace Profile section should contain references to acheivements with previous employers that add value to you. This could be activities that helped bring in revenue or mitigated losses for previous employersthat are tangible and easily identifiable. Job desriptions should also be written to reflect your branding statement.

3. Consistent References Your references may or may not be included in the resume. However, they should be individuals that will support your acheivements and help identify who you are as an individual. Make sure you select references that speak well of you and can recognize what you did for their organization. Utilize people who know your standards and principles and how these can be brought to benefit potential employers.

Developing a professional brand may not happen immediately. It may be a continual process of seeing what works and what does not to make it clear and consistent. Just as we develop in our professions, our brand will progress in relation to it.

How to Find the Best Resume Service

Interviews, high salaries, great careers – it all just seems a click away. But there’s one document that holds the key to all these: the resume. In today’s competitive job market, it is important to stand out. There are many qualified candidates out there; what makes you stand out? It is important to realize that thousands of qualified candidates are rejected on a daily basis because of the simple fact that their resume is not up to standards.

Tip the scales in your favor by looking for the best resume service. Below, we’ll look into the factors you need to consider before hiring a professional resume writing company. In addition, this article will also include some advice on the “aftersales” process. That is, what you can do if you’re not satisfied with the results.

Tips in Finding the Best Resume Service

There are literally hundreds of resume writing companies out there. Follow these simple tips to help you find the right one.
• Start asking around – there are people who had been on the same boat as you. If they took advantage of professional help, ask them about the company and their experience. Get honest opinions from several people before making the decision.
• Read reviews – online resume service reviews can give you a better idea about which company provides great service. Take note though that some companies hire staff to write good reviews about their services. So make sure to dig deeper and check different websites to find the real deal.
• Browse the company website – this can tell you a lot about how the firm treats customers. For example, do they accommodate rewrite request or offer refunds if the work is unsatisfactory? You’ll also know about their payment terms and rates.

Things to Check after Receiving the Resume

Once you’ve chosen a resume service company, the task should ideally be finished. However, there are cases that even a reputable firm doesn’t deliver on client expectations. This can occur if the writer they assigned doesn’t understand the industry you’re in or didn’t outline your qualifications properly. Here are some factors you need to look into after receiving the resume:
• Grammar – in getting professional resume service, grammatical errors shouldn’t be a problem. But it can still happen because errors like misspellings, typos, bad sentence structure, and grammar mistakes can be easy to miss. Proofread everything and ask for revisions or even a refund if you see these types of mistakes.
• Cover Letter – if you’re using the resume for a specific position, then it might be a good idea to hire a professional to write the cover letter as well. Determine whether it conveys what you want to say to the employer.

Finally, after hiring the resume service company and checking the quality of the output, the next step is to add the finishing touches.
Remember, no matter how good the resume looks, it should still retain a touch of your personality. If you think it’s already perfect as it is, then the resume writer did a great job. You can submit it to the employer with confidence.

Boosting Your Job Search with a Resume Website

Millions of people are struggling to find work again. If you’re tired of being one of the statistics, it’s time to do something about it. A job offer won’t magically arrive at your doorstep. In fact, even if you submit your resume to hundreds of companies, it is possible that you may not even hear back. There are just so many applicants who want the same job. What can you do to differentiate yourself from the rest? Creating a “resume website” may be the answer.

So what exactly is the resume website? It is basically a site that showcases your background, credentials, and portfolio. It makes you stand out by giving the recruiter a deeper glimpse of what you’re capable of. For example, if you’re applying as a landscaper, a graphic designer, or even a writer, there is a world of difference between saying that you worked as this so-and-so company from actually giving the recruiter a chance to see the actual output.

Of course, the resume website can also contain interesting tidbits about you, if relevant. Be sure to include your educational qualifications as this information generally makes the site look more professional. Aside from showcasing your talents, creating the website will also show the recruiter or prospective employer that you are proactive, technically knowledgeable, and are willing to go the extra mile. If you’re still not sure what to include on the website, read on below for some suggestions:

• Home Page – the home page generally contains an overview of the purpose of the site, links to other pages, and even your picture. If you’re running a blog, it’s possible to integrate it into the main page so that it’s constantly updated.
• About Me Page – this page should contain your location, an overview of your educational history and work experience, and even the reason why you’ve created the website. Ideally, the “About Me” page is the section where entertaining things about your life should be placed.
• Resume Page – the “Resume Page” is the serious-stuff page. There are a number of individuals who place their resume (whether it is in chronological or functional format) as it is on this web page. On the other hand, there are also individuals that make their CV easier to scan and read. It is recommended for you to opt to use the latter to keep reader attention focused.
• Portfolio – the portfolio page increases your chance to land a job significantly. Make sure to take advantage of this opportunity. Showcase the best pieces you’ve ever created. Whether you’re a web developer, 3D artist, or a model, the portfolio page shows off what you’re capable of.
• Contact Me Page – then of course, there’s the “Contact Me” page. This is important because you should remove the address and even personal telephone number from the “Resume Page” for privacy purposes. This page is the best way for recruiters and possible employers to contact you.

By following the guidelines above, you can create an effective and compelling resume website that will let you land the job of your dreams.

Using a Resume Builder to Make an Affordable, Professional Resume

In today’s tough job market, it is more difficult than ever to land any job, let alone a great job. That’s why applicants are finding creative ways to stand out. If you don’t want to lose out, then it’s time to ramp up your game as well. Many people would recommend that you hire a professional resume and cover letter writer to leave a good impression. But these services tend to be expensive. What if you can’t afford it? Here’s where resume builders come into the picture.

The resume builder basically contains a set of processes that will guide you in building the resume. Depending on the tool you use, it may simply require you to enter your name, address, contact number, work history, skill set, educational attainment, and other relevant details in selected fields. The resume builder will then format the resume according to the template you choose.

There are both free and paid resume builders that are easily available on the internet. Some of the major job sites have a resume builder integrated within their interface. These sites will display your resume in their selected format to employers. On the other hand, if you decide to use a paid resume builder, there are important features you need to look for. You may find the following features beneficial:
• High-quality resume templates – first impression lasts and the template of your resume plays a great part in letting it stand out.
• Real time preview – this helps you save a lot of time. Instead of going back and forth when you’re editing the resume, the real-time preview lets you see the change as you make it.
• Resume website with hosting – there are some resume builders that lets you set-up a resume site. This is particularly beneficial if you work as a freelancer or independent contractor.
• Ability to share your resume on Facebook and Twitter – don’t miss out on the opportunities offered by social media sites. There are resume builders that can promote your resume automatically on Facebook and Twitter.
• Downloadable formats – most builders let you download the resume in various formats including Word, PDF, Html, ODT, and text files among others.
• Custom adjustments – adjust the fonts and margins as you see fit with this feature.
• Multiple resume capabilities – manage multiple resumes quickly and easily if you’re using a sophisticated resume builder. It can let you create customized resumes for every job you apply for.

These are just some of the available features you can expect from high-quality resume builders. Some resume building tools may offer better features while free or basic plans may contain less.

Overall, it makes sense to use a resume builder to help you with writing. But it is also important to remember that the resume builder is still just a tool. It is up to you to cinch the interview to land that job. Make sure to proofread the resume that has been generated prior to sending it out. The format should look professional and everything should be properly aligned.