How to Make Your Resume Stand Out - When Should You Spend Time on Your Resume?

How to Make Your Resume Stand Out - When Should You Spend Time on Your Resume?When I worked as a writer and had to read resumes from people in the job market, I was always surprised at how much time most of them put on the page. It seems that if they had to look for their resume in a search engine, they probably weren't hiring, in which case they would have saved themselves a lot of time by using the time wisely and writing a killer resume. By writing a killer resume you will earn an interview by letting them know you are a top notch candidate. Here is how to make your resume stand out in your section of the job market:To make a resume stand out you must be aware of the proper use of words. One of the main mistakes I have seen in my career is the resume that includes too many keywords or phrases. These are important in the written word, but if used excessively they are too difficult to read and end up not getting read. A good example of this is: 'I am a...' or 'I am...'Another mistak e I have seen is the resume that includes so many bullet points. The key here is to make sure that your document is cohesive, simple and easy to read and follow.My resume on job hunting at least one other piece of writing work which involves putting together sentences and paragraphs. A good resume is effective when written with a strong voice. Your first draft should reflect a voice you are proud of. You don't want to have a second draft that looks sloppy, you want your resume to have a powerful voice.With that being said, in writing your resume, don't over think it. Give yourself plenty of time to write this document. Even if you have to move to another room to do some research, don't let it stop you from writing the perfect resume.Don't assume you will find everything you need. Many times you will have to spend a little time on the search engines just to find what you need. Keep in mind what else you need in the business and you can better choose what should be included in your re sume. If you are in the sales field, keep this in mind when you are going through resumes. The sales market is great, but in a writing business you need to focus on the writing skills you have.Writing is a skill, but it isn't a talent. Sometimes you have to do a lot of research to get the information you need. Don't worry about it, just get it and write it. The only way to make a great resume is to make a great resume.

Exactly how to Cold Call a Company for a Job (Perfect template Included)

Exactly how to Cold Call a Company for a Job (Perfect template Included) Spread the loveSending a resume or application to an employer can only achieve so much. At some point, job seekers need to be proactive and initiate contact with those employers. One of the most obvious ways to do that is with a simple phone call. Unfortunately, far too many job-seekers are reluctant to call a stranger to ask about possible job openings. For many, that cold call may seem like an unwelcome intrusion. In fact, some job-seekers assume that cold calling could reduce their chances of getting a job. Fortunately, the opposite is true.Why Cold Calling for Jobs WorksIts hard to land a job. The fact is that employers take note of candidates who have initiative and drive. After all, those are highly-prized qualities that most companies look for in potential employees.By making that cold call, you can show an employer that you’re driven, assertive, and prone to getting things done. At the same time, you can achieve your goal of showcasing your skills â€" possibly even before y our resume is read.(We wrote a good post here on how to cold email for a job)Of course, none of that will matter if your cold call is made without a concrete plan. In this post, we’ll explain how to cold call for a job and provide tips to help you receive the best results from that call.Tips for Your Job Search Cold CallThe following tips can help you organize your cold calling for maximum results:Cold Call After Sending Your ResumeIt’s wise to send a copy of your resume and cover letter to the employer before you call. Include a line in the cover letter letting the decision-maker know that you’ll be following up by phone.Then, when you do call, you can tell the receptionist and decision-maker that you’re following up on a letter. Hopefully, the company will have already reviewed your qualifications. If not, then the cold call could provide a great opportunity to spark their interest.Make Sure You’re Calling the Right personDon’t just call without a plan. Take time to re search the company and get the right name to call. As a rule, you are better off contacting managers than human resources personnel, so try to find the name of the appropriate department head.If possible, reach out to your network to find someone who can help you obtain a referral. That could provide you with an immediate way to garner interest during your call.Remember that Persistence Pays OffBe prepared to make several calls. You will likely be forced to leave voice mails and may only occasionally reach a live person on the first attempt. Leave messages for a callback but let the decision-maker know that you will follow up by phone.Finally, try to wait five to seven days before calling again, and limit yourself to no more than three or four cold call attempts per employer.Why?Well, if they’re ignoring you after receiving your resume and three or four phone calls, chances are they’re either not hiring or simply aren’t interested in talking to you. Move on.That’s why it’s important to cold call several employers a day. When you’re searching for a job, that cold calling routine will broader your job search net and maximize your chances of catching someone’s interest. It will also help to ensure that your cold calling skills are developed and maintained throughout your search.What to Say When Cold Calling for a JobBut what should you say when you make that cold call? How exactly should you approach the conversation? We’ve outlined the basic steps to ensure that you can properly prepare for what may be the most importance phone call you’ll ever make:Introduce yourself with an opening statement that can serve as something of an elevator pitch. Try to keep your introduction’s length to no more than 30 seconds and make it concise and understandable. For example:Good afternoon. My name’s John Smith, and I’m following up on a recent communication with your office about potential job opportunities in your department. I’m a graphic design and branding specialist with eleven years in the industry and am extremely interested in joining your company’s design team. Do you have a few minutes right now, or is there a better time to reach you?  If your contact has time to talk, then share your qualifications. Don’t just list them either. Talk about your specific areas of expertise and include examples of how you’ve used those skills to add value to your previous employers’ companies. And if your contact is busy right now, try to schedule a day and time to speak.If you lack certain experience or qualifications, create a few quick rebuttals that can overcome those potential objections. Again, try to keep the focus on what you can do for the firm.Close strong and include a follow-up request. Ask if there’s a possibility to meet in person to discuss future opportunities. That’s especially useful if there are no current job opportunities.Always thank the contact for his or her time and be sure to ask whether there’s an y additional information you can send to help them in further considerations. You may also want to email a thank you note as well. That’s always a good way to make a great impression â€" and may even help them keep you in mind for future job openings.Finally, don’t limit your cold call efforts to employers. You should also try cold calling network contacts and others, to develop leads on potential jobs. The key is to view cold calling as another tool in your job search toolkit and commit to making them part of your daily job search routine. Exactly how to Cold Call a Company for a Job (Perfect template Included) Spread the loveSending a resume or application to an employer can only achieve so much. At some point, job seekers need to be proactive and initiate contact with those employers. One of the most obvious ways to do that is with a simple phone call. Unfortunately, far too many job-seekers are reluctant to call a stranger to ask about possible job openings. For many, that cold call may seem like an unwelcome intrusion. In fact, some job-seekers assume that cold calling could reduce their chances of getting a job. Fortunately, the opposite is true.Why Cold Calling for Jobs WorksIts hard to land a job. The fact is that employers take note of candidates who have initiative and drive. After all, those are highly-prized qualities that most companies look for in potential employees.By making that cold call, you can show an employer that you’re driven, assertive, and prone to getting things done. At the same time, you can achieve your goal of showcasing your skills â€" possibly even before y our resume is read.(We wrote a good post here on how to cold email for a job)Of course, none of that will matter if your cold call is made without a concrete plan. In this post, we’ll explain how to cold call for a job and provide tips to help you receive the best results from that call.Tips for Your Job Search Cold CallThe following tips can help you organize your cold calling for maximum results:Cold Call After Sending Your ResumeIt’s wise to send a copy of your resume and cover letter to the employer before you call. Include a line in the cover letter letting the decision-maker know that you’ll be following up by phone.Then, when you do call, you can tell the receptionist and decision-maker that you’re following up on a letter. Hopefully, the company will have already reviewed your qualifications. If not, then the cold call could provide a great opportunity to spark their interest.Make Sure You’re Calling the Right personDon’t just call without a plan. Take time to re search the company and get the right name to call. As a rule, you are better off contacting managers than human resources personnel, so try to find the name of the appropriate department head.If possible, reach out to your network to find someone who can help you obtain a referral. That could provide you with an immediate way to garner interest during your call.Remember that Persistence Pays OffBe prepared to make several calls. You will likely be forced to leave voice mails and may only occasionally reach a live person on the first attempt. Leave messages for a callback but let the decision-maker know that you will follow up by phone.Finally, try to wait five to seven days before calling again, and limit yourself to no more than three or four cold call attempts per employer.Why?Well, if they’re ignoring you after receiving your resume and three or four phone calls, chances are they’re either not hiring or simply aren’t interested in talking to you. Move on.That’s why it’s important to cold call several employers a day. When you’re searching for a job, that cold calling routine will broader your job search net and maximize your chances of catching someone’s interest. It will also help to ensure that your cold calling skills are developed and maintained throughout your search.What to Say When Cold Calling for a JobBut what should you say when you make that cold call? How exactly should you approach the conversation? We’ve outlined the basic steps to ensure that you can properly prepare for what may be the most importance phone call you’ll ever make:Introduce yourself with an opening statement that can serve as something of an elevator pitch. Try to keep your introduction’s length to no more than 30 seconds and make it concise and understandable. For example:Good afternoon. My name’s John Smith, and I’m following up on a recent communication with your office about potential job opportunities in your department. I’m a graphic design and branding specialist with eleven years in the industry and am extremely interested in joining your company’s design team. Do you have a few minutes right now, or is there a better time to reach you?  If your contact has time to talk, then share your qualifications. Don’t just list them either. Talk about your specific areas of expertise and include examples of how you’ve used those skills to add value to your previous employers’ companies. And if your contact is busy right now, try to schedule a day and time to speak.If you lack certain experience or qualifications, create a few quick rebuttals that can overcome those potential objections. Again, try to keep the focus on what you can do for the firm.Close strong and include a follow-up request. Ask if there’s a possibility to meet in person to discuss future opportunities. That’s especially useful if there are no current job opportunities.Always thank the contact for his or her time and be sure to ask whether there’s an y additional information you can send to help them in further considerations. You may also want to email a thank you note as well. That’s always a good way to make a great impression â€" and may even help them keep you in mind for future job openings.Finally, don’t limit your cold call efforts to employers. You should also try cold calling network contacts and others, to develop leads on potential jobs. The key is to view cold calling as another tool in your job search toolkit and commit to making them part of your daily job search routine.