Sample Resumes and Examples

While re-writing my own resume sometime back, I had to figure how to show my consulting work along with my day job.  Both are marketing-related and I really wanted a format that showed what I do, but was easy on the eyes.  I have even helped re-write resumes for professions I do not know about such as Healthcare and even Attorneys, but had great results.  Therefore, I would like to share my findings with my fellow Americans and help fight unemployment one resume at a time.  Use this resource wisely – http://www.bestsampleresume.com/.

For more great information follow us on Twitter and become a FaceBook Fan!

Tips to Address Employment Gaps in a Resume

Tips to Address Employment Gaps in a Resume

Source: http://www.ayushveda.com/tipson/tips-to-address-employment-gaps-in-a-resume/

Resume is a paper that represents the individual for the job. It is through the resume a future employer sees you. If you have a missing year in your career history then the employer will take it as a negative mark and it may adversely affect your chance of getting a job.

There are many reasons for missing years in your resume. It can be due to pregnancy, for raising your baby, an accident, higher education, to look after your elderly parents etc and what ever the reasons you have to address it tactfully. This will help you to avoid the bad impression.

1. While writing your resume use a skill based format rather than using a chronological format. Make a heading and group relevant skills under the heading. With this you can highlight your achievements and skills instead of the highlighting the time you did it. This will help you to hide the gaps.

2. Instead of listing dates on your resume like Feb, 2005 to May 2008 you can write 2005 to 2008. This will help you to cover the gaps of months in your resume.

3. If you are a person who is working for years then you can set your experience as fifteen years in technical job and ten years in managerial job etc.

4. Make a list of the things that you did in the year when you were not employed and categorize them. This will help you to find things that can be included in your resume. You might have volunteered events, might have worked as a consultant or freelance writer, sometimes you might have taken classes for kids etc. Then you can list such things in your resume as you did with other jobs.

5. If you are not able to cover the gaps then you can keep a covering letter along with your resume which explains the reason for the gap. You can explain that you were raising twins, were writing a novel, were caring your aged parents etc. If you had a serious accident and you were in trauma then you can offer medical certificate also.

6. If you can tell the truths then it will the best. This is because the employer may cross check your information on the resume and if they find anything incorrect they may expel you from the job.

Your resume is a selling pitch, not a biography.

Are you writing your resume as if it was your biography? If your resume is crammed with all your work experience and history, you’re writing a boring novel. 

Write your resume as if it was the best sales pitch you’ve ever written.  It is like those annoying commercials that grab your attention and you remember them for weeks. So how can you make your resume capture the same message as a commercial?

Your goal is to grab the attention of the hiring manager like they are a potential consumer.   You are selling your professional experience, knowledge, and showing why you are better than the competition. You do this by highlighting your best selling points and benefits, and getting the hiring managers to feel at ease enough to make the purchase, which is hiring you.

Think of those enticing ads where you want more, that’s their strategy. Your strategy is to entice hiring managers so they want to find out more about you. Don’t tell them everything, only the most important pieces of information to grab their attention during the scanning process.

I Sent My Resume with a Typo! Should I Send a New One?

By: Brianna Raymond, CPRW

The short answer is: maybe.

Ask all your favorite career experts that question and some would tell you to send a new resume, while others would tell you not to worry about it. What it really boils down to is whether the hiring manager is likely to notice the typo, and whether they’ll care if they do. And that largely depends on how good your resume is overall, along with the kind of job you’re seeking.

Most career advisers (us included) will tell you that one of the fastest ways for your resume to end up in the “no” pile is to send it with a typo. But we’re human and we make mistakes. There are just as many typo-ridden resumes out there as there are error-free. So if you send your seemingly perfect resume to an employer, only to notice a typo or two later, don’t stress. An informal poll of fellow bloggers shows that 2 out of 3 of us have actually been hired for jobs despite typos in our resumes—and we’re writers!

Here are some tips to help you decide which action is right for you.

The “Yes” Side

If your targeted job depends on perfect grammar and spelling (think proofreaders, writers, marketing professionals, administrative assistants, etc.) then you definitely need to follow up with an updated resume. But you’ll want to approach the issue carefully. You know what and where the typo is, but the employer may not if you catch it soon enough.

Here’s an idea of how to send a new resume without calling attention to the error:

Dear [Hiring Manager’s Name]:

Here is an updated copy of the resume I sent you last [day of week], expressing my interest in [job title]. Please refer to this version when you review my qualifications for the job.

Thank you,
[Your Name]

The “No” Side

Here are some thoughts on why not sending an updated resume might be the right choice:

1. The hiring manager might not notice the typo in the first place.
2. If they do notice it, they still might call you in for an interview (if perfect spelling is not a requirement for the job).
3. If they notice the error and toss you in the “no” pile, sending a new resume won’t help you any. (The pessimist’s perspective.)

All in all, use your best judgment. A little typo should never overshadow a candidate’s experience and qualifications to do the job (unless you fit one of the communications professions listed above). If you’re on the fence, there’s no harm in sending an updated, error-free resume as long as you don’t call attention to what has changed between versions.

But the best thing you can do for yourself is proofread, proofread, and proofread some more before you submit your resume so you can avoid this dilemma!

Have you ever sent a resume with a typo, only to realize it when it was too late? What happened?

The Must-Have Resume Companion. The SoloSheet™ by Spin Strategy

Article Source:  http://bit.ly/XwZnv

Everybody looking for a job has a resume.  Great.  You are now equal with everyone else in the world. 

Some resumes are better than others and it’s important that yours clearly outlines the value that a company can expect to find in you.  And one that excites an HR or hiring manager about the fit and promise your background suggests. 

But how do you begin to differentiate yourself while providing a tangible tool for others to truly know how they can help you?

The answer is a relative of the “one-sheet“.  A term that originated in the movie business, a “one-sheet” is a single page document used to sell an idea, a concept or in your case, yourself.  The key is that everything you need to know is right there on one page.  A movie poster is the quintessential one-sheet.  What else do you need to know?   

So the idea of one piece of paper to sell something isn’t new.  And, to be honest, the idea of a one-pager to present your candidacy for jobs isn’t new either.  There are a number of good templates out there.

What amazes me is why so few people that I meet have one.  Is it an awareness issue?  Are job seekers stuck in the past?  Is it laziness?

Perhaps it is a mix of all these issues.  Regardless, I have a format that I adjusted for my own use during a 2007 search that I wanted to share today.  

It is a free downloadable template.  Available now on the Spin Strategy website. 

I call this a “resume companion”.  Why?  Because it includes many of the key pieces of information from the resume without the burden of too much data and with the addition of very tangible and actionable data.

So who wins when a job seeker has a tool like the SoloSheet™ ?

•  Job seekers have a focused and very tangible pitch sheet – perfect for the quick exchanges common at many structured networking events.
• Recruiters have a simpler format from which to make quick decisions as to the fit with their client listings.    
• Fellow job seekers can now better help those they network with based on the additional data. Data that makes lining up new friends with new jobs much easier!

Now, let’s go through each section of the SoloSheet™ to describe how it is built differently from a resume.

 

NAME AND POSITIONING STATEMENT

The key difference here is the positioning statement.  Whether you have this on your resume or not, it is critical to quickly and well position yourself in a crowded market.  Keep it short and make sure it says key things that make you unique.

SUMMARY

The summary is a short written paragraph that tells the story of your positioning statement.  It can prove your position by providing credible evidence along with a solid reason why (or two).

WORK PHILOSOPHY

This statement is one that I added.  It tells how I approach my work to achieve the desired results.  If you have built up a structured thought process or methodology to achieve success, introduce it here.

WORK HISTORY

Unlike your resume where the details of each position provide more granular evidence of your skill and experience, here you are simply providing a chronological history.  One that tracks company (industry), title (promotions), and dates (loyal vs. opportunistic).

CAREER OBJECTIVE

Here’s another difference from the resume (at least mine).  The SoloSheet™ includes a career objective because it is critical that your network know what you are looking for in your next role.  It should include title, industry, geography, company size and any other data that would help people assist you. The more specific the better. 

NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS

These are critical.  Think of the top 4 or 5 from your resume for your past 2-3 jobs.  The ones that, when combined, show the breadth and impact that you have on an organization.

KEY COMPETENCIES

This can be a bulleted list or a written list separated by commas.  These are 8-10 specific skills that allow someone to line you up with specific job descriptions.

TARGET ORGANIZATIONS AND GEOGRAPHY

This is perhaps the most important aspect of the SoloSheet™ when used at a networking event.  When fellow job seekers know what companies you are specifically targeting, it is much easier for them to help.  You may be remembered as “the marketing person looking at Pepsi and Heinz“. 

So . . .

In an ideal world, there are 10 people walking out of a networking event with your SoloSheet™.  It is marked up, key words are circled and a few stars are drawn next to a few of your target organizations. 

Your network now has a solid method to keep track of you, a tangible way to remember who you are and, importantly, has an actionable list of organizations where you’d like to work.

Easy for your network = results for you. 

If you’d like to see an example of how one was filled out, write a comment by clicking on this link and going to the bottom of the article.

For more great information follow us on Twitter and become a FaceBook Fan!

Gossip Your Way to a Great Job

Article Source:  http://hotjobs.yahoo.com/career-articles-gossip_your_way_to_a_great_job-980

by Maria Hanson, LiveCareer

Titillating as it can be, gossip is something most people realize they should avoid, especially at work.

But there is an upside to gossip. In a recent survey by staffing firm Randstad USA, more than half of the respondents felt gossip was useful to job hunting. Gossip can also help you identify new opportunities within your own workplace. And even the most casual office chit-chat can give you insight into your work, your company, and even your own job security.

Follow these tips to gossip to your career advantage:

1) Rethink your idea of gossip. Work gossip isn’t just about who’s dating whom in the office. Any piece of information about a company or industry can be used to your advantage. Reading journals and websites specific to your industry may give you useful information about which employers are growing their workforce. Or hearing a rumor that free snacks in the break-room are a disappearing perk can be a heads up that your organization is doing some belt-tightening.

2) Don’t automatically shun all gossip. People often hear important work-related items first through the office grapevine. By ignoring all gossip, you could be isolating yourself. Attend seminars, parties, and other gatherings that provide a chance for networking. Be receptive, listen, and ask probing questions. But don’t participate in talking badly about anyone.

3) Filter the gossip. If you just listen, and tune out the nasty stuff, you won’t get a rep as a gossip monger. But you’ll be on the right channel if there’s news that could help your career. Open your ears and extract the opportunity-rich tidbits. For example, you may hear about something as seemingly insignificant as a hiring manager’s love of dogs. If you’re a dog lover, this could be just the gem you need to make a connection with the person who makes hiring decisions.

4) Put the info to work. Take the information you’ve gathered and use it to get to the right people. Email the hiring manager of a company that just won a big contract — and send your resume highlighting your relevant experience.

Find out how to tailor your resume for a specific position with your free resume guide.

5) Befriend a connector. Share your gossip with a connector. A connector is someone who seems to know everyone and effortlessly disseminates news. Likewise, if you need to do damage control, there’s no one better to approach.

6) Be your own gossip. If you’ve had a success you want known — something that could get you noticed in high places — get the word out there yourself. Not sure how to toot your own horn? Appropriate bragging has its place in the workplace. For example, at a staff meeting, you could mention a successful group project that you spearheaded. This can get you and your team the favorable attention you earned.

Gossip doesn’t have to involve backstabbing or spreading hurtful rumors. Useful gossip is about connecting with others in a positive way. Knowing your interests and using this knowledge to make connections with others can help your career.

Take a free career test to identify your interests and strengths and find out what kind of career opportunities best suit you.

How to Explain an Employment Gap

By Alison Doyle, About.com

Many of us take time off, for one reason or another, from working. Sometimes, it’s by choice. In other cases, it can take time to find a new job. What the best way to explain an employment gap on your resume? It depends on the situation and what you did while you weren’t employed.

Cover the Gaps
When listing dates on your resume you don’t need to list the month/year if you were in a position for over a year or if your position spans multiple years. For example, you could say 2004 – 2008 (rather than May, 2004 – April, 2008) which would give you some room to cover the gaps:

Store Manager, XYZ Store
2004 – 2008

Sales Associate, ABC Store
2002 – 2004

As you can see, the resume doesn’t specifically say when the candidate started and ended employment, which can cover an employment gap.

Check Your Format
You can format your resume to minimize the gaps in your employment history. For example, don’t bold the dates and/or use a smaller font than the one you use for the company name or job title. Start your resume with a Summary Statement and Career Highlights section so you are highlighting your skills and accomplishments, rather than when you did what.

Omit a Job (or Two)
You don’t need to include all your experience on your resume, especially if you have been in the workforce for years. It’s acceptable to limit the years of experience you include on your resume to fifteen years when seeking a managerial or professional position and ten years when looking for technical or high-tech job.

Other Experience
What did you do while you weren’t employed? Did you freelance or consult? How about volunteering? All those experiences count as work and can be included on your resume. List them as you would list your other jobs – with job title, company name, job description, and dates of employment. If you took a class, you can list that in the Education section of your resume.

Use Your Cover Letter
When you have employment gaps that don’t fit on your resume (you took time off to care for an aged parent or to raise a child) use your cover letter to explain the gap. That way, the employer will know that there’s an explanation for you being out of the workforce.

Tell the Truth
What’s most important, is to tell the truth. If you lie on your resume, it will probably come back to haunt you. Employers verify work history and if you put incorrect information on your resume, I can guarantee that they’ll find out. In fact, most of the job seekers who answer or comment on our survey Would you Lie on Your Resume? say that they’d never lie. That answer makes really good sense when job searching.

The Four Questions

The Four Questions
By: Southworth

Answering the following four questions in a fully persuasive way will greatly increase your odds of developing a winning resume. The questions are the crucial elements of the resume writing formula. Answering them will not only give you the material you need for building a strong resume but will also prepare you for networking and interviewing. Use the resume writing examples below as a point of reference.

What do you want?

What is your job target? The resume should be built around your job target (whether you include an objective or not) so that prospective employers can immediately see what position you are aiming for.

Why are you qualified to do it?

That’s the summary or “professional profile” section. This is where you outline the skills and credentials that qualify you for the job. You can break your skills into functional sections or use bullet points to highlight key points. If this section is done properly, it will convince prospective employers that the rest of your resume is worth reading, bringing them to the next question.

Where have you done it?

That’s the “experience” section. The reader needs to know whom you worked for, the city and state where they are located and what you did. Ideally, your job descriptions should include lots of active verbs and focus on keywords and functional skills that are most relevant to your job target. See our list of words below.

How well have you done it?

Listing accomplishments and special projects shows by example that you have contributed to previous employers’ bottom lines. The best accomplishments are those that demonstrate quantifiable results or your willingness to go “the extra mile.” Did you come up with an idea that saved the company money? Were you promoted because of your team building skills? Were you selected for a key program because of your positive attitude? Whenever possible, describe how you improved previous employers’ bottom lines – i.e., doubled sales, cut costs, reduced errors, streamlined processing or improved efficiency.

Why You Need a Job Search Champion

Article Source

Posted by: Meridith Levinson in Best Practices

Job search champions aggressively market job seekers to prospective employers, helping job seekers land new jobs more quickly.

Job search experts and hiring managers agree that networking is the most effective way to land a new job. But more important than an extensive network is a network that includes one or more job search champions. 

Job search champions are people in your network who know you well and whose names would appear on your list of professional references were it not for the fact that they don’t wait for prospective employers to call them to endorse you; they proactively and aggressively help you find work by drawing on their networks and marketing you to prospective employers, says Howard Seidel, a partner with Essex Partners, which provides career management and job transition services.

“The champions are real advocates for you,” says Seidel. “They grease the skids and say, ‘This guy is fantastic. You have to talk to this person. He did a great job here and would be terrific for you.’ They get prospective employers really excited.”

Having a job search champion can make all the difference in the length of your job search. Seidel, a career and executive coach, believes job seekers with champions land jobs faster because champions give job seekers entrée into potential job opportunities.

“Getting in the door is the biggest obstacle today for job seekers,” notes Seidel. “There are hundreds of résumés for a role and so many screeners. A champion can get you through the screeners to the people hiring. If you can get in that way, the hiring process tends to go faster and you come in with a lot of good will.”

Moreover, adds Seidel, by championing the job seeker, champions predispose hiring managers to liking the candidate. This is particularly helpful in a recession, when hiring managers are inundated with applicants for opens positions, asking gotcha questions during job interviews, and looking for any reason to screen out candidates.

“If you’re being introduced [to a prospective employer] by a champion, you’re going in there with a leg up because the hiring manager is [now] excited about what you can do for them,” says Seidel. “If you’re not going in there with a champion, you’ve got to do all the work yourself.”

In a market where job searches for CIO positions are lasting an average of a year, having a champion gives a job seeker a clear advantage over the competition. The more champions you have, the more effective and powerful your search is going to be.

Resume Writer

Source:  http://www.volunteermatch.org/search/opp451525.jsp

Description

Position Summary: Helpmyresume.org is actively searching for qualified volunteer resume writers. Our volunteer resume writers have diverse backgrounds including former executive recruiters, marketing executives, human resource managers, grant writers, etc. Helpmyresume.org is one of America’s fastest growing nonprofit organization that is helping to fight unemployment. With clients from all over the country, Helpmyresume.org is offering every individual who is unemployed the opportunity to have the resume rewritten for free.

Essential Duties: Resume Writing Consultants will create achievement based resumes for clients based on information and research provided by Helpmyresume.org. Our consultants work from their home.

Skills

•2-3 years experience writing articles, papers, or reviewing resumes
•Excellent research skills
•Strong marketing skills
•5+ years experience using MS Word
•Excellent communication skills
•Excellent follow-up skills