How to create a resume that an employer won't miss

Sending your resume to a potential employer is like saying a prayer: you have no idea what the odds are, but you hope against hope that something will go in your favor. With many big name companies, though, thousands of applications are received for every one open position. To make matters worse, many of these large corporations now use computer screening to weed out the majority of applications. So how do you create a resume that gets you in the door, at the very least?

The first step is to closely read the job description. Consider those few paragraphs to be clues as to how to get an interview. Generally, the job description alludes to three important factors in the hiring process: what the company will expect from you in the future, what they want you to have done in the past, and what qualifications you need to have at this moment.

These clues should be the outline of your resume. Since you always begin your resume with your most recent employment or skills, the first thing the employer will see is what you are doing at your present job. He or she wants to know if you can take these skills and apply them to the open position in the future. With this parameter in mind, figure out what the company is looking for. Use the job description as your starting point and then supplement what you know with information from the company’s website. For example, one job duty may be to “develop and implement internal and external public relations/communications strategies.”

Okay, so in this job, you would need to know what the company does and how the company wants to tell the public about it. But what kind of messages will you need to communicate? If you go to the company’s website, you can learn not only what field they are in, but what the precise competitive advantage is. Every company has things or products or ethics they are proud of – the key is to learn what they are. Once you figure out what makes the company different from its completion (and why, in theory, it is better) you can begin to make your resume the picture of who the company wants to hire.

Now it is time to think hard about what you have done in the past that sounds like what this company needs. If the company you are applying to is proud of its commitment to developing drugs for the elderly (instead of, say, pediatric medicines), focus on that angle. If you are applying for a job in communications, what experience do you have with publications whose demographic is the elderly? If you are applying for a job in marketing, what campaigns have you worked on that have targeted the elderly? A research position? Do you have any history with other geriatric drugs or studies?

Let’s say the company also differentiates itself from its competitors by its near-spotless record of safe drugs. Needless to say, maintaining good public opinion isn’t easy and takes a very concerted effort from everyone in the company. Again, what have you done in the past that sounds similar to this type of effort? Have you worked with a company that needed some crisis control in terms of their media relations? Have you developed a drug that encountered some controversy, and did you have a role in the aftermath? The point is to focus on your past experiences that match the company’s points of pride/competitive advantage.

After doing your research and mentally matching up your history to what the company is looking for, it’s time to tailor your resume. Since the potential employer is looking to see if what you have done in the past can translate into a good future with Company X, you need to spell it out in your resume. Begin with your most recent or current employment, and summarize what you have done in bullet points. Don’t overlook important tasks just because they may not fit the job description, but be sure to bold what fits with their points of pride. Bold, bold, bold, and be specific about those matching points of pride! The more specific you can be, the better it looks to your potential employer. List names clients you have worked with that would be familiar to Company X, or give names of projects or brands you have worked on. Do not simply say, “Created a campaign to garner interest in issues.” Instead, say, “created a campaign for Geriatric Inc to garner a 50% feedback rate on Medicare hot buttons, such as…” The more the employer can visualize what you actually did, the more impressed he or she will be.

So far, you have learned what the company wants the future employee to by reading the job description. You took your matching skills and paired them with the company’s competitive advantage or point of pride in order to look like an even better candidate. Now, you need to assure them that you have the basic skills required for the job. These types of skills usually aren’t acquired in prior jobs, but they are more like degrees, classes or languages. For example, if a company is looking for someone who speaks French and Spanish, you probably didn’t learn that in your cubical. Instead, you took a class or have your degree in those languages. The same is true for a skill like Quark or any sort of certification. The bottom of your resume is the place to list these skills. And, again, be sure to bold the skills you have that specifically match the ones they mentioned in the job description.

Of course, always proofread your resume as a last step and be sure to include your contact information. By now, you have a sheet of paper that lists your prior jobs and experiences, with the most recent being first on the list. Under each entry, you have bulleted the most important skills or duties, and you’ve bolded the ones that specifically match what the company is looking for. You’ve even incorporated key words from the job description, and you have been very specific and used names of clients or campaigns whenever possible. Not only do you look like an ideal candidate, but you’ve already done a lot of research for the interview that you are sure to get.

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Finding jobs for teachers

There is an abundance of teaching positions available. There is currently a teacher shortage, particularly in the areas of special education, bilingual education, math and science. There are many positions to be found in the public schools, however, public schools are certainly not the only places that teaching jobs can be found. Since they offer the most positions, though, let’s begin by looking at how to go about applying for a job with one of the school districts.

First of all, find out which public schools serve the area in which you live. In many metropolitan areas, there are many different districts. Look up each district’s web page. Under “Human Resources,” you should find job listings, the procedure for applying and perhaps even the district’s pay scale.

You need to do is fill out the district application and submit all of the required materials. Your application will not become active until you have completed every step of the procedure they have outlined on their site or application. After submitting the required information, don’t sit back and rest on your laurels. Even though the district may have required you to fill out an application, submit a resume, transcripts, and your certification, this does not guarantee you a job. Take a look at the specific job postings and decide which ones you are interested in. Then call the individual school and ask to speak to the person responsible for filling the position. Talk to them directly if you can. If you have to leave a voice message, or are discouraged from speaking to the person in charge, at least get their name and title, so that you can include it in your cover letter. You want to personalize your job search as much as possible.

If you don’t get responses on some of the jobs you have applied for, don’t feel discouraged. Often, districts are required to publicly post positions that they have every intention of filling internally. Keep trying to contact the decision-maker at the school you want to work at. Often, they can tell you about positions that are expected to open up that haven’t been posted yet. Also, don’t forget to attend the district’s job fair, if they offer one. This is a great way to meet the principals of the different schools in a large district, and you may get a job offer fairly quickly.

Another way to find out about public school job opportunities is to sign up with your regional education service center. Often, you can fill out an application with them, which will be stored in their database for the surrounded area that you have specified. Many rural schools utilize this resource to fill positions.

Whatever you do, don’t give up. Although many principals are aware of open positions by April, teachers frequently resign their positions right before the school year is to begin, leaving principals scrambling to fill positions. So even if you don’t have the job you want in hand by the end of May, you might very well find yourself with a job in August. Also, many principals reserve the month of June for hiring, so there are many different times you should check in with the schools. Don’t be afraid to be persistent. School administrators today have many responsibilities, and you don’t want your resume to slip through the cracks of the principal’s memory.

Besides the public school system, there are many private schools in operation, both religious and secular. These schools often do not have yearly contracts, so you may be able to find a position that has become available in the middle of the school year. You will want to take a personalized approach when dealing with private schools, and you will probably need to stop by the school to pick up an application in person. Be certain to peruse the school’s website so that you know what their educational goals are, and whether or not you will be a good match. If you are, be sure to match the school’s goals to your cover letter and resume. In this case, sending out a generic resume is a certain way to ensure that it ends up in the trash.

Other educational opportunities exist in juvenile correctional facilities, day treatment programs for behavior or substance abuse, programs for expelled youth, and mental hospitals. Treat the application process at any of these institutions the same as you would if you were applying for a private school position. Customize your resume. If the job is with a correctional institution, give yourself plenty of time to fill out and submit the state or county job application, as these are notoriously slow to be processed. Don’t be surprised if you do not hear back from a state or county facility for two months. Other facilities, such as those run by private non-profits, may hire within the week.

The most important thing when searching for a teaching position is to identify what it is that you want, and then go after it. If you want to teach, there are plenty of opportunities out there, regardless of your academic discipline.

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Do it yourself: how to set up an effective small business phone system

Setting up a small business requires consideration into many aspects. One of the most important aspects is communication. Having an effective system in which one’s clients can contact them is imperative. Different businesses require different types of business phone system.

If one is a sole proprietor and works from home, a simple phone system is required. One can either use their own personal line or set up an additional line for business purposes only. Current technology will allow one to set up an additional line on their existing line. One can add an additional number with a distinctive ring tone. This will help differentiate between incoming business and personal calls. Another feature – ‘caller identification’ also aids in distinguishing personal from business calls. This is especially helpful when one is already on a call, and does not have the advantage of the distinctive ring feature.

One may choose not to set up an additional line, but choose a voice mailbox instead. One can rent a number from an independent voicemail service. Calls will go to that number, and one can remotely retrieve messages at their convenience. This also allows one to choose their area code. If one lives in New York, but wants to expand their business to Los Angeles, they can set up a voicemail box in Los Angeles, and appear as a local business.

Some voicemail services also provide the option of call forwarding. One can forward calls to their home or cell phone, and always be available. There are even sophisticated systems with a feature called “Find Me”. This feature will forward all incoming calls to all numbers on file, until it locates you. Features such as caller identification, whisper and conference call are also available on this type of system. Whisper is a feature whereas when one answers their call, the system announces that they have an incoming call from their phone service. It allows the person the option to accept the call or reroute it to voicemail.

If one has a national business, they may consider using a toll free number. Toll free numbers may be available through one’s local carrier. If not, one can choose an independent provider and have calls routed to their home or cellular phone. Toll free numbers can be restricted to incoming calls from landlines or cellular phones. Most toll free carriers charge a surcharge when calls are placed from a public pay phone. Toll free numbers can be customized to spell out words. This enables your client to remember the number.

Also keep in mind that if the business in national; one should take care in investing in a good long distance plan. Many providers offer specific business packages. And many providers also offer all-inclusive packages, such as unlimited local and long distance calls for one price. This will enable one to have a stable phone bill every month. A small business may have several people or departments. For this business, it is essential to have an incoming screener and router. If you have three departments, you can have a system in place that gives the caller the option to choose which department they desire by pushing an appropriate extension or button. If the business entails employees to be mobile, the calls can be redirected to their cell phones.

Sometimes all lines are busy, and a patron may be required to hold. The hold message should be used to the businesses advantage. One can record announcements or answers to frequently asked questions on this feature. Use this feature as effective advertising and marketing tool. If frequently asked questions are addressed, this can reduce call volume and save the business money. This is particularly true with toll free numbers, where the business pays for the calls.

Setting up an effective business system can aid you with getting and keeping customers. It also can be an effective marketing tool. There are systems to fit any budget, and any size small business. With a little research and creativity, any business can have an effective small business phone system.

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Building a resume through volunteer opportunities and hobbies

Many people shy away from placing volunteer work and hobbies on a resume. While they probably think that the work they do is important, they may also feel that a potential employer will not. Many worry that employers will view placing these kinds of tasks on a resume as the sign of someone who lacks any real skills at all.

However, quite the opposite can be true. If an individual is performing volunteer work on a regular basis or has turned a hobby into a nearly full-time job, these tasks can actually help you land the job of your dreams. Knowing how to explain these duties on your resume will show prospective employers the true depth of your skills and talents.

Volunteer Work

Most people know that volunteering can be a great way to network. You meet people from different industries and fields that you might not usually meet. In addition, volunteering often exposes us to tasks and responsibilities that are different from our daily routine. It is these new tasks that are learned through volunteer opportunities that can expand a resume.

For example, someone who is an accountant but who also volunteers in a nursing home on a regular basis is expanding his resume and his range of potential employers at the same time. By simply putting on his resume that he volunteers 15 hours a week in the business office of a nursing home, he has opened the doors to jobs that otherwise might be closed.

This individual can explain his accounting experience on his resume, but he can also explain that he understands the intricacies and details of maintaining financial records in a medical facility—which are often much more scrutinized than in some other venues. This piece of information would probably open up job opportunities working in the financial sector of the medical industry simply because this person already has a basic understanding of the responsibilities involved. Many employers look favorably on a person with prior experience because they require less on-the-job training.

Hobbies

A hobby may seem a little more difficult to work into a resume. The idea of tinkering with old cars in the garage may not seem very important at all. However, the skills acquired from fixing up and showing old cars might be just what your next employer is looking for.

For example, if you regularly fix up and show antique cars, you learn the internal workings of the cars. You also learn how to work within financial and mechanical limits to get the cars running. Finally, you learn how to show the car to other car enthusiasts—especially if you have ever won any awards.

For a person working in mechanics or engineering, these skills can be invaluable. In addition, for a person working in marketing or public relations, the idea of knowing how to present your cars and actually win awards can certainly show you understand the nuances of grabbing people’s attention.

While restoring antique vehicles may bring enjoyment on the weekends, it could also help you land a job that you had never even thought about. The trick to using volunteer work or hobbies on your resume is to know how to explain them.

Writing the Resume

When placing volunteer work or a full-time hobby on your resume, include it in your work experience like any other job. Put the work in chronological order, listing your title (if any), along with your duties and responsibilities. Also, if you have received any awards because of your volunteer efforts or hobby, be sure to list those.

The real key to making your volunteering or hobby experience a part of your resume is to do just that: make it a part of your resume. Do not be ashamed of your volunteer work. The experience it gives you may just be what gets you the job of your dreams.

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Beyond resumes: when you need a portfolio, and how to keep one

Getting your dream job means showing a potential employer how you can help expand their organization. While many people think that a well-crafted resume will do the trick, this often doesn't get you past the first interview. Depending on the type of job you hope to land, you may need more than a stellar resume.

Being able to show a potential employer a portfolio of your work can certainly be an impressive way to get your foot in the door. In fact, having a portfolio is considered a requirement for many jobs. Knowing how to keep a portfolio and knowing when to actually use one can give you a head's up for that perfect job.

When you need a portfolio

For many, the idea of taking a portfolio to a job interview conjures up an image of a guy in a suit carrying a large case into an advertising agency. However, there are many other types of jobs where a portfolio can be a good thing.

Certainly, any position in advertising or marketing requires a portfolio. Even if the position that you want is not exactly designing million-dollar campaigns, being able to show a potential employer that you understand concepts of marketing will give you a leg up. Also, showing a potential employer what you have worked on in black and white, rather than in words alone, adds substance and legitimacy to your prior experience.

In addition to marketing or advertising, any position where you are designing something—from arts to industrial design—truly needs a portfolio. Again, showing a potential employer what you have done, from designing the layout of a room to designing the details of a home electrical system, can be used to impress your next boss.

What to keep in your portfolio

So, now that you realize that a portfolio may be what you need to land that dream job, you need to figure out what to keep in that portfolio. Knowing what is important for a portfolio will ensure that your portfolio looks professional, which can only serve to make you look more professional.

If you are doing anything where you design on paper, from being a writer to designing brochures or print layouts, you definitely need to hold on to everything you create. Now, this does not mean that everything you have done should be placed in a portfolio for display. This simply means that keeping all of your work will allow you to choose relevant examples of your work and tailor your portfolio to each situation.

If your profession requires you to work in the realm of 3-D, then having pictures of your work is a must. Take pictures of each job with a good camera. Showing employers a photo is not enough. Make sure that the photo is in focus, and that the image is pleasing to the eye. Don't make others have to turn the picture around and upside-down before they can figure out what they are looking at.

How to Display the Portfolio

Now, you know that you need a portfolio, and you have kept examples of your work. The final thing to be done is put together a professional way to show your portfolio. Even if you have examples of work that would impress the harshest critic, if it is displayed in an unappealing way, all of your trouble can be for nothing.

If your portfolio consists of print samples, the best way to display them is by mounting them onto hard black cardboard. Each piece should be mounted in the center of each board. Each board should be the same size regardless of what is displayed. This will create a uniform and professional look.

If you are using photos to show your experience, the same thing goes. However, each photo should be blown up to a size that can be viewed by everybody at once. You do not want to be passing individual photos around a room.

Of course, a more modern, trendy way to display your portfolio is on a web site. Using a web site can be great because a potential employer can easily visit your site even before they decide if they want to call you for an interview.

If you are going to use the web site, however, make sure that the design is professional and pleasing. A great portfolio can be made null and void by a bad web site layout. Also, if you use a web site, be sure that you use a domain name (www.something.com) rather than lower level web space (www.something.com/myspace). It will be easier for a potential employer to view and even remember a domain name—and it will look more professional.

Now that you know how to make and use a portfolio, get out there and let a portfolio help you land your dream job!

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