Resumes:
After getting our attitude right and our thoughts together, it is time to begin our job search campaign. The first step is preparing a resume. In this posting we will be looking at the purpose of a resume. We will also look at what a resume should look like, and how to make a resume more effective when submitted online.
The purpose of a resume is to get a job interview. A resume is like a calling card, it should be something that is easy to read, and addresses the needs of the job. For this reason when submitting a resume it is wise to make sure it addresses the needs of the prospective employer. However, make sure to be honest on the resume. We often hear of high profile individuals who are humiliated and lose their jobs due to lying on their resumes. Remember the bible tells us that our sins will find us out.
Highlighting items on a resume means insuring that qualifications the prospective employer is looking for are prominently displayed on the resume. In addition, many resumes filed online go through preliminary screening by an automated system. Employers program this system to look for certain key words in the resume. Job seekers can find these key words in the job description so it is wise to insure your resume contains these words so it passes the initial automated screening process and someone with a pulse reviews it.
The ideal resume is one page long so be brief. Using bullet points to highlight accomplishments and job duties makes the resume easier to read. This also makes it easier to move key accomplishments and duties to the top of the list when these pertain to the job or contain some of the key words found in the job description.
In a market where applicants file resumes online, a resume soon becomes one of hundreds or thousands. The key to having a resume turn into an interview is getting it noticed. Insuring the resume addresses the job requirements in an honest manner as well as making it easy to read is important but following up after filing a resume makes it even more noticeable. This step is not going to be easy but will be well worth it. We know the company we have applied with and will need to conduct some research to find the hiring manager for the position we are seeking. After doing this, we can forward a copy of our resume and a cover letter to this person.
In the cover letter, the first paragraph states the job applied for and that we have already applied online but that we wanted to make sure they received a copy of our resume. The second paragraph states our qualifications for the position. The last paragraph establishes a time when we will contact the hiring manager to set up an interview. Since most applicants do not take the time to follow up on resumes they submit this step will set your resume apart from most of the others, increasing the chance of getting an interview.
As a final thought, it is not necessary lose a job before writing a resume. Employed and unemployed workers should have a resume ready and update it when changes occur. This will make it possible to take advantage of opportunities that come up as well as saving time if we suddenly become unemployed. Remember, our prayers are with you and feel free to contact me at dalewsr34@gmail.com for more information, prayer, or encouragement.
Commentary:
Economic recovery! If this is an economic recovery, count me out.
Friday May 22, 2009 is a great example of why we should not judge economic recovery on the stock market. On this day the market began on an upswing spurred by better than expected earnings by Sears. Sears is one stock listed on the market and is hardly an indicator of how the total U.S. economy is going. Fortunately, sanity returned later in the day when the market began looking at the costs of borrowing by the government.
This demonstrates the volatility of the market when the positive results of one retailer can create a market upswing only to have the market drop later in the day over concerns about government borrowing. However, unfortunately many so called economic experts speak of pending recovery based solely on market upswings. This is a phony economic recovery when what we need is real economic recovery.
Real economic recovery occurs with growth in the gross domestic product (GDP) and job creation. Since our economy is currently experiencing GDP retraction and the continued loss of jobs, we are hardly in a period of economic recovery. What we need is an infusion of capital on Main Street through tax cuts to spur economic activity and job creation. The question I have for the so-called experts is why is that so hard to understand?
Remembering our fallen heroes:
On this Memorial Day many of us will have the day off work and take advantage of the time to be with family and friends. It is great to have this downtime with friends and family but let us not forget the true reason for this holiday.
I value the privilege through this blog to teach, comment, and motivate others using the written word. The founders of our nation valued this privilege as well and made freedom of speech a right in our nation but freedom of speech is not free.
Through our nations history we have confronted numerous enemies who wanted to take our basic rights away from us including the freedom of speech. In the course of protecting our rights, many have given their lives on the battlefield so on this Memorial Day, we need to take a moment to remember these fallen heroes. Also, remember their families for they have also paid a high price for our freedoms.
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