How to Explain a Layoff on Your Resume

If you are on the hunt for a new job thanks to a layoff you may be wondering how you should explain that layoff on your resume. While layoffs are never a good thing when they happen to individuals, in the turbulent world of business, they are somewhat the norm. Therefore, most potential employers will not view your layoff as a negative when they are considering hiring you.

Keep in mind that there is a big difference between being part of a layoff, which is typically due to a financial reason, and being fired, which can result for a number of reasons. However, in either case, this can cause an employment gap in your resume which may not look so good. While you should try to shore up any gaps as quickly as you can, you may or may not want to include the reasons that you left any job on your resume.

If you do decide to explain on your resume that you were in fact laid off then you should do so in the following manner:

·         Truthfully: Never lie on any portion of your resume, including any explanations you give for a layoff. You never know who knows who in today’s tight knit business world and if you lie about the circumstances of your layoff, you are likely to be caught. In the end, lying looks much worse than being laid off.

·         Concisely: If you feel that you want to explain your layoff, so in a clear and concise manner. Don’t write a book, just a sentence or two to explain the circumstances.

·         Accurately: Be sure that you give accurate dates and details if you choose to explain your layoff. As with any other information on your resume, it is important to get all the details right. This will avoid you looking like a fool due to inaccuracies on your resume.

·         Professionally: Save the ‘woe is me’ and simply state what happened. If you try to make it seem like the world is against you, a likely result will be a potential employer who is turned off.

You can also take the approach of explaining the employment gap in your resume. Instead of just explaining the reasons behind your layoff, explain what you have done in the meantime. Maybe you went back to school or maybe you increased your volunteer work. By putting down what you have done since the layoff, the potential employer can see that you have not simply been sitting around stagnant while awaiting another job opportunity to pop up.  You can ask a resume writer his opinion on this as well.

What is most important is to be able to explain thoroughly what happened in regards to the layoff when you do in fact go in for a job interview. Therefore, you need to be sure that whatever you write down as far as an explanation goes on your resume, that your story inside the interview matches it. Keep in mind though, potential employers understand that layoffs are part of the business world game and as long as you explain yourself in a professional manner, everything will likely be fine.

How to Create a Resume that gets Noticed

Hunting for a job can be a daunting task, especially when it comes creating the perfect resume. It is hard to believe that employers even look at your resume when they are receiving hundreds of resumes for one job opportunity. Researchers state that over 95% of resumes are looked over for a few seconds and then trashed. If you haven’t received a few calls after submitting your resume to different employers, your resume probably needs something.  You might want to consider using a resume builder.   Here are a few tips on how to create a resume that gets noticed.

1.       Tailor Your Cover Letter to Fit Each Job Opportunity

This might sound like a lot of work at first, but then again, you are trying to land a job. Many employers cringe at the sight of generic resumes and cover letters because it shows them that the applicant is putting forth much effort to impress them. Remember the old saying “A first impression is a lasting impression?” Well, it rings true in the resume world as well. Look at the requirements listed in the job posting or consider what might be a requirement for the particular job. In your cover letter address these requirements with an explanation of why you would be the perfect candidate for the job.

2.       Spend Time Creating a Top-Notch Employment History Section

One thing that irritates employers or hiring managers most is a resume that has a non-informative and poorly written job history section. This is your section to list your accomplishments, in regards to employment, from the last few years (or more) of your life. Spend time on this section and include more details than you think are required. Don’t rewrite the job description for your past jobs, but rather include your accomplishments from the job. Did you move up the ladder three times in one year? Did you receive employee of the month? It is details like this that will make you stand out in the eyes of an employer of hiring manager.

3.       Skills, Skills and More Skills

Employers want to know how you plan to be an asset to their company or business. One method of relaying your experience within the industry is to create a highly marketable skill section on your resume. Resume writing experts suggest that you include three different types of skills: job-related, transferable and adaptive. Job-related skills are obviously skills that you possess which will help you execute industry-related tasks (i.e. web development, QuickBooks, etc.). Transferable skills are broader and can be used across different industries, like critical thinking and problem solving. Adaptive skills are characteristics about you, such as, determined and social. Include a few of each type of skill within you job skill section.

These are just a few strategies that can be used to make your resume more noticeable during a job hunt. Remember, your resume represents you. If you submit a weak resume then you aren’t giving yourself a fair chance in regards to landing job. Whatever you do, be patient and persistent. Your next job is only a resume away! 

How to Choose the Right Resume Writing Service

If you are looking for a job you should already be aware of the fact that a resume can be the most effective tool in landing the job of your dreams, or any job for that matter. Resumes can be hard to write for a variety of reasons. You must know how to put complete thoughts down on paper, have a decent command of the English language and be able to convince the potential employer that you are the best candidate for the job.

With this being said, sometimes it is more effective to hire a writing service to create a powerful resume for you. Choosing a resume writing service can also be a difficult task. How are you supposed to know which company will write you the best resume possible? Here are a few strategies to keep in mind when evaluating different resume writing services.

1    
       1. Consider the Company’s Experience

Proven experience accompanied by effective results is a good indicator that a resume writing service is legitimate. Question the company about their history and experience. Ask questions like “How many resumes have you written for clients?” and “What kind of results can a person expect after purchasing your company’s services?” A reputable company should show you their accomplishments, testimonies and achievements before you have to ask. 

2.       2. Check Actual Capabilities and Services

Ask yourself, “How is this company going to go about creating the best resume possible for me?" If that question is difficult to answer then the company most likely isn’t the right one for you. Look for things like customer support and how the resume experts will communicate with you. Do they allow you to collaborate with a resume expert when forming your resume or do they simply have you fill out a worksheet and spit a resume back out at you? These are all very good questions to consider. A top-notch resume writing service should provide things like interactive worksheets, examples of past clients and resumes and an action plan to help you build the perfect resume.

3.       3. Cost is Always a Consideration

The cost of resume writing services can vary greatly, depending on the company or the individual providing the services. Large companies will obviously have to charge more because of the operating costs they incur on a daily basis. On the other hand, larger companies might provide you with a better resume because of the large amount of experience they have. Everyone has a different budget and that means that there is a resume writing service that is a perfect fit for anyone. Remember, sometimes you get what you pay for. If you find a company that offers extremely low rates for their services you might not get the quality resume you are looking for.

These are just a few tips to keep in mind when looking for resume writing services. Remember, a resume is one of the most effective tools you can use to land a job. Make your first impression a lasting one by choosing the right resume writing service. 

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.