CV Writing & Resume Help

Thanks for reading my Coaching for SUCCESS newsletter. This is my CV writing and Resume Help issue. I guess you're going to need to make a new resume soon if you haven't already started.

Are you about to send your resume in for a job application? If so you're in the right place to be sure you have the best resume or CV you can get before you send it to any prospective employers .

When you need a new resume or CV you have two choices:

* Make a Resume yourself;

* Have a professional(ME) make one for you within 48 hours (see bottom of page).

If you are going to write your resume yourself, then I'd recommend you get a copy of "The Ultimate CV & Resume Writing Guide" because it is what you need to get more interviews and more job offers!

What makes the Ultimate Resume?

Writing a resume is a difficult task regardless of your level of experience with the process. While the content of your resume is critical to its effectiveness, the layout and the format you utilize are equally as important. To get started, you should research various resume styles and find out which best stouts your field.

The biggest mistake people make when composing their resume is using a generic template provided in your text editing software, like Microsoft Word. These templates are usually outdated and very difficult to format, not to mention that they do not transfer well to online job applications. Avoid the quick-fix mentality of these resume templates, and take some time in finding resources that will provide you with up-to-date helpful ways to compose a winning resume.

Resume Layout For Getting Noticed

The layout and the style of your resume are as important as the information you are including about your experience and qualifications. The two most commonly used resume styles are chronological and functional. Chronological resume calls for listing your professional expertise in order, much like the name implies, and is used those with some to extensive professional experience. Functional resume showcases your experience by the type of qualifications you have, and is typically used by those lacking professional experience or those changing careers. While there are no set rules on determining the best resume style to use, it is important to keep in mind that the resume format can help or hurt your chances to put your best foot forward. You will want to pick the format that will best highlight your qualifications and your experience. Thus, it is important to understand the difference between the two, as well as research which format is more preferred in the field of your choice.

Add A Career Objective Statement For Your Resume

A Career objective is very important to your resume. While there is an ongoing debate about the need for listing your objective on your resume, choosing to include this goal statement shows that you have given your professional growth some serious thought. Consider your career objective as the first impression you make on your potential employer. Make sure that your goals are specific and directional in terms of industry, position title, and future professional achievements.

Most people make a mistake of including generic statements under their career objective. To be effective, your statement must tell a potential employer that you know what kind of job you want, what experience you have in order to get the position, and what you are willing do to become a successful professional with the company.

Everyone can find a sample of a well-written resume to fit their career objectives in the Ultimate Resume Writing e-Book which comes complete with a brilliant selection of 27 Resume samples you can use.

While your career objective tells your potential employer why you are applying for the job at their organization, your professional profile sells your expertise and convinces the employer that you are the best candidate for the job.

Writing Your Personal Profile

Your personal profile gives you the opportunity to differentiate yourself, and give your employer an insight into you. Two commonly made mistakes for this section of the resume are poor writing and inclusion of personal information. Note that your age, ethnicity, gender, religious affiliations, etc. do not make a difference on how you handle yourself as a business professional. Such information should never be included in a resume, or any job application materials (even when asked on a job application, such information is optional and is for demographics study only). Make sure this section is well written and error-free. Strong positive statements about your expertise will give a good first impression to your employer. Make sure to proofread the whole resume, with emphasis to this section, as it appears at the start of your resume. An effective personal statement must leave your employer with an impression that you are confident, credible, and professional.

Keep in mind - your resume is your sales pitch, demonstrating your qualifications and experience to your potential employer. Seize the opportunity to put your best foot forward and you will reap the rewards, I recommend you get a copy of a resume to fit your career objectives in the Ultimate Resume Writing e-Book which comes complete with a brilliant selection of 27 CV and resume samples you can use.

Consider your skills and qualifications when applying for jobs. It is important that you read through the job description thoroughly before submitting your application. A lot of what employers are actually looking for in their potential associate is written right in the job description and requirements. In fact, you should review your resume against the requirements listed in order to make sure you have covered everything the employer is looking for. If you can address all the requirements by the information in your resume or in your cover letter, you will be on the right track for getting the job.

Employability Skills

The employability skills have been grouped in eight categories:

* Communication skills

* Teamwork skills

* Problem-solving skills

* Initiative and enterprise skills

* Planning and organizing skills

* Self-management

* Learning skills

* Technology skills

Now that you have read the categories, you are thinking to yourself, yes, I have those skills. But did you ever think to list them on the resume? Most people focus on their professional achievements and responsibilities, and they often skip these skills in favor of those that are job specific. However, more and more employers look for these skills in resumes. Your potential employer wants to know that you are a team player, that you communicate well, and will show initiative when needed. While you may think this is implied by your interest in the available position, employers like to see these skills called out on your resume or cover letter.

Your Qualifications

The best way to demonstrate these skills is through your experience and under your qualifications. Point out the initiatives you have participated in that required you to work in a team, under a deadline, or as a self-starter. Demonstrate your loyalty through pointing out your accomplishments at an organization and how they benefited your team as a whole (not just you). You can showcase the employability skills in your cover letter by openly showing your enthusiasm for the available position, stating your commitment to your career objective, indicating your motivation and your integrity, and showing that you are above all un-selfish and credible. These skills are just as critical to your ability to do a great job as your professional experience and education – employers are looking for someone who will be a great fit on their team and in their organization, someone who works well under pressure but also has a sense of humor and has a balance between their personal and professional life.

Review your existing resume.

Does it contain any employability skills? If not, make revisions to incorporate those employability skills you feel you excel in. If you are unsure, ask your friends or family for an objective opinion, so that you can get a better idea of how people around you see you as a person as well as a professional. Keep these attributes in mind as you compose your resume and your cover letter, and especially as you are taking part in interviews. These skills can make a difference between knowing how to do a job and being qualified to exceed goals and grow in your career.

Proofread Your Work

1. Proofread the content for grammar and spelling mistakes. This is the most critical step in the resume review process. It is often hard to spot your own composition errors after you've spent hours writing and re-writing parts of your resume.

There are two ways to catch these potential damaging errors: ask someone else to proof your resume, or give yourself some time between writing and reviewing your resume.

If you ask a friend or a family member for help in reviewing your resume, make sure that their spelling and grammar and is to the task; they should be able to review and if necessary edit your resume for content and consistency in style.

Asking others to review your resume, however, should be done with some caution. You know what you are trying to achieve in terms of the content and the value of that content to the employer, others don't have that same knowledge so may unwittingly change the message you are trying to create.

Even after you have asked someone else to review your resume, try stepping away from it for a day or two if you have time. Coming back to it for a final review later gives you some break from the content, and will allow you to recheck it for grammar and spelling errors with fresh eyes. Watch out for wrong words spelt correctly such as 'right' and 'write' as your spell-checker won't pick this up; only human eyes will.

Print & Check That It Looks Right

2. Print out and email your resume so that you know what your potential employer will receive after you submit your resume. Make sure to print your resume from the same file that you are emailing to your employer.

Make sure that the margins are set properly and are not cutting off any content.

Look for spaces, and adjust the text in case of any large gaps on the paper. E-mail your resume to a number of your friends; have them open the file and let you know how it appears on their screen, as well as how it prints out. This gives you the chance to address any formatting issues before your resume reaches the employer thus developing a winning final resume.

Does It Match The Job Demands?

3. Compare your resume carefully against the job requirements, and make sure that all requirements are addressed in either your resume or your cover letter.

Essentially, review what the employer is looking for and make sure that your resume meets all of their needs.

When your potential employer receives your resume, they will look for key terms from their job description in order to match your qualifications to their available position.

If possible, try to use some of the same terminology on your resume as the employer used on the job description or in the advertisement. This will let the employer know that you understand their needs, and make them more interested in you as the ideal candidate for the job. If they are willing, ask one of your friends to review the job description and your resume as well, and give you their impression on how well the two match. My own Ultimate Resume Writing e-Book shows you how to make a superb resume.

Poorly written or badly formatted resumes tell your prospective employer that you don’t pay any attention to detail. Taking the extra time reviewing your resume is the surest way of gaining the employer’s attention and getting the job you always wanted.

Of course you could always get me to write your CV or resume for you - if you need a professional job done for you very quickly (within 48 hours or less). Go to Career Consulting & CV Writing to find out how to get started - FAST!

Wishing you the earliest success with finding the job you so richly deserve. Thank you for reading.

Best Wishes

Peter Fisher

www.your-career-change.com