Job Application

Five Reasons You Should Post Your Resume

Which is the best online approach for finding a better job? Posting a resume? Or searching and applying online? The answer is, "BOTH!" You need to be doing both.

It's time to get with the program.

Even though POSTING A RESUME has been possible since mid 1990s, it remains a relatively "new" job search tool to many job seekers. Maybe this is because there's no pre-Internet precedent for it. Searching and applying online is basically a the same process as answering newspaper help wanted ads ---albeit, on steroids. It's rooted in the way we used to things.

POSTING is an Internet thing. Your grandfather would call resume POSTING "new-fangled" and he'd probably avoid it. But you can't afford that luxury. You have to get with the program and post your resume. Because it's part of looking for job in the Internet Age and employers expect it.

Posting wins the numbers game.

Posting your resume expands your network big time. In the olden days you could "blast" your resume, by snail mail, to a handful of decision-makers. With POSTING, in a few mouse clicks, you can put your resume on the desktops of thousands of hiring managers and recruiters. Try to duplicate that kind of coverage in the old days and you'd be deathly ill from licking the postage stamps.

It's as easy as...

Posting is a snap. As we already pointed out, posting takes a few mouse-clicks and you're done. It's fast, easy to do, and free. It's also easy for anyone who searches views and downloads your resume, to send it to a colleague looking for just your set of skills. It's Internet marketing at it's best and YOU are the product.

Look for a job without looking for a job.

A lot of job seekers have an interest in changing jobs but enough time to search and apply. Posting lets them "announce their candidacy" without hitting the campaign trail. With posting, employers search for the candidates!

Test the effectiveness of your resume.

How's your resume doing? Do you know for sure? Posting gives you a chance to do some sophisticated market research. Because you can post multiple resumes, (on CareerBuilder it's five) you can actually target them to different audiences or test your messaging on the same audience. Then, you can make meaningful adjustments to your overall resume approach that can improve your results tremendously.

(from www.careerbuilder.com)                                                           

What to Include in Your Cover Letter

In the first paragraph, announce your purpose and give the reader a reason to read.

In the second paragraph, list your qualifications, your current situation (briefly), what you're looking for and why this position interests you, and what you can bring to the job and company.

In the third paragraph, request an interview (if appropriate) and thank the prospective employer.

(from Internet)

Draft Resume Checklist

1. Is it short and to the point? Employers prefer an average of 2 pages, definitely no more than 3.

2. Is it printed on good quality, white or off-white, standard, business-sized paper? Are the margins at least one inch? White/off-white paper with lots of space is easier to read than bright colours and your life history on one page.

3. Does it look professional and inviting to read? Are items listed in point form, and is there lots of "white space" on the page? See reasoning from point 2.

4. Is it well organized and readable? Do key points and headings stand out? Is your eye drawn immediately to the information you want your employers to see first? You might want to make sure your most relevant accomplishments and achievements stand out.

5. Have you described how your work benefited your former employers (improved sails by a certain percentage, made procedures more effective)?

6. Is the language clear, simple and concise? Does every statement show a skill or ability? Have you eliminated unnecessary words or sentences?

7. Is all of the information relevant and positive? Does everything you say about your qualifications relate to requirements of the job? Never include anything negative!

8. Does every item start with an action verb? Avoid using "I" and inexpressive phrases such as "I was responsible for..."

9. Is the information accurate? Don't exaggerate or misrepresent yourself - employers will check - but don't sell yourself short, either.

10. Have you listed your name, address (including postal code), email address (if appropriate), and a telephone number where you can be reached during the day? Don't include photographs or unnecessary information such as weight, gender, date of birth, marital status, or state of health. Also, the date, the title "Resume" and signatures are also unnecessary.

11. Are you sure there are no spelling, grammar or typing errors?

12. If you have listed your references, are they people who can verify the skills and abilities you have chosen to emphasize? Always find out if the people you list are willing to give you a positive reference before you distribute your resume! If you answered "no" even once, redo your draft.

(from Internet)