Posts tagged Resume
Resume Trends and Tips for 2013
Feb 28th
With so much competition in the job market, it’s important to write a resume that stands out. And while your skills are invaluable, being aware of what recruiters are looking for when you apply to a certain position will help you immensely in your job search. If you’ve been out of the job market for a while (and even if you haven’t), staying on top of resume trends will keep you at the top of a hiring manager’s list.
Applicant Tracking Systems are Evolving
Sending out multiple resumes with little success? Your resume might be missing keywords relevant to your industry. With so many applications to sift through, most recruiters use a parser (a program which receives input and breaks it up into parts) to find what the computer deems the best resumes for a particular job. When looking to fill a position, hiring managers will sort through resumes by keyword, sometimes found in the job description, allowing the most qualified applicants to rise to the top of the pile. When you apply for jobs in the same field, take note of common words and phrases used in similar job postings. Using keywords will also help you tailor your resume of the job you’re applying to. Learn more about keywords here.
Infographics
Using an infographic can be a great way to stand out, especially if you are in a creative field such as design, writing or fashion. Sites such as vizualize.me give your text resume a fun makeover that still allows you to present relevant skills in a professional way. Remember that Automated Tracking systems won’t read graphics, so you’ll need to adjust your resume when applying online. Keep your charts available when you know you’re sending them directly to a hiring manager, or hand them out at career fairs. There are also services such as Loft Resumes, which will help you create a visually appealing alternative to a standard Word document.
Using LinkedIn Wisely
It’s time to delete that “references available upon request” line at the end of your resume. Use LinkedIn to have former employers and coworkers promote your skills and even write you recommendations. This allows hiring managers to see quickly that your skills are valuable. Make sure you have a professional photo for your profile, and make sure all your information reflects your resume. LinkedIn can also be a great way to connect directly with hiring managers.
Tips for any Decade
- Always highlight accomplishments rather than make a straight list of former duties and responsibilities. Using action words keeps your resume targeted.
- Readability is key. Try reading your resume on a phone or tablet to see how the formatting transfers over. If hiring managers can’t read your resume on a mobile device, it’s possible you’re losing points.
- A powerful resume does not list every single accomplishment from the last 10 years. Throw out the fluff and stick to what’s most important. Your resume should be short, concise and to the point.
| Print article | This entry was posted by pyramid-admin on February 28, 2013 at 10:00 am, and is filed under Chronicles For Candidates, Human Resource, Right Your Resume. Follow any responses to this post through RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback from your own site. |
How to Avoid Looking Like a Job Hopper
Feb 11th
The likelihood of you working for the same company over the course of your entire professional career is virtually nonexistent. The Bureau of Labor Statistics suggests that today’s average worker maintains his or her job for 4.4 years, yet the average for younger employees is approximately half of that figure. This “job-hopping” can seem glamorous with all of the new opportunities that it poses, but it casts a potentially daunting shadow over your résumé.
Chances are potential employers are scanning over your résumé looking for defining characteristics and red flags. One such red flag can be a list of jobs that lasted anywhere from 1-2 years. Short periods of employment are not always indicative of poor performance and termination, especially given the challenging economic state over the past decade, but they can certainly give the impression that you are a job hopper, a rabbit in the field. In striving to avoid this negative connotation, here are a few ways to reassure an employer that you didn’t simply bound from firm to firm.
1. Acknowledge Changes
With mergers and acquisitions being so common in the business world, companies are changing, moving, shutting down, and laying off. If a structural change beyond your control lead to your no longer being employed by a company, make a note on your résumé that informs an employer of the situation. In the event that a company’s name changed during your employment, do not list it as two separate employers, rather list it as the current name and indicate its former name(s) in parenthesis.
2. Pool Consulting Positions
Finding permanent positions is extremely challenging, driving many job candidates into temporary consulting assignments. If you took on a plethora of such employment opportunities it is best to pool them together on your résumé as “Consultant” as opposed to listing each assignment. You may choose to highlight some of the more distinguishing roles or experiences underneath this section.
3. Forget About the Months
If you stipulate that you were employed from “September 2010-March 2012” on your résumé it displays that you only worked at a firm for 18 months, or a year and a half. BUT, if you simply list the years of your employment, “2010-2012” is less clearly 18 months and more like 2 years. This is not to suggest fabricating the dates of your employment, rather using a technique to appear less transient.
Caution: This is only suggested if you have several short term positions on your resume. Otherwise it is recommended to indicate the months.
4. Overshadow Dates with Contributions
Sometimes the only way for you to send the right message to an employer is to highlight the contributions you made and accomplishments you achieved at a firm in the hopes of them overshadowing your relatively brief period of employment. This ties into the adage of quality over quantity. If you can show that you were effective and successful while working for a firm your past performance will show to be more valuable than the short period of time you were there.
Want to read more on this topic? Careerealism goes further into detail on some helpful tips to avoid the job hopper classification.
| Print article | This entry was posted by pyramid-admin on February 11, 2013 at 9:34 am, and is filed under Chronicles For Candidates. Follow any responses to this post through RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback from your own site. |
How to Address Employment Gaps on Your Resume
Jan 28th
How do you handle employment gaps on your resume? Most people have a gap in their employment history at some point in time. The length of this time may vary and this is where the difficulty in addressing it lies. On top of this, there are numerous reasons for gaps, perhaps because of a company-wide layoff, maternity leave, health issues, family emergencies, going back to college? These are all valid reasons for employment gaps. But how do you explain this on your resume?
A short employment gap of a month or two is not of high concern to those with several years of experience. However, at first glance, a recruiter or hiring manager is likely to see a long employment gap and immediately raise a brow. A great analogy was stated on Careerealism, an employee is like a house that’s for sale. If it sits on the market for too long, buyers assume that something is wrong. When you decide to take six to nine months off, employers start to wonder the same thing about you.
If you left to pursue a degree, the “education” section of your resume will show this gap. You can also create a “volunteer” section if you took time off to pursue this route. For parenting or other family related reasons be sure to highlight the reasons in your cover letter. You don’t have to get too personal, but a brief explanation If you’re returning to the workforce after an extended absence unrelated to these topics, show how you’ve kept up-to-date with changes in your industry. Don’t just let the cover letter explain it all. That’s like leaving your job search to chance. On your resume showcase how you have remained up to date with your skills.
If asked about the gap during a job interview, use the same brief explanation indicated in your cover letter. You want to convey that the situation is over and you are focused on rejoining the workforce.
For more advice on how to explain employment gaps, click here.
| Print article | This entry was posted by pyramid-admin on January 28, 2013 at 10:06 am, and is filed under Right Your Resume. Follow any responses to this post through RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback from your own site. |
REPIN IT TO WIN IT: Pyramid Resume Revamp Contest!
Jan 21st
Exciting news! We are happy to announce the launch of our first Pinterest Contest: Pyramid Resume Revamp!
Are you looking to update your resume?
Pin with us on our REPIN IT TO WIN IT: Pyramid Resume Revamp Jobs board for a chance to win a RESUME MAKEOVER and INTERVIEW with one of our ‘industry expert’ recruiters! Check out our board for more details – and happy pinning!
http://pinterest.com/pin/229472543485404241/
| Print article | This entry was posted by pyramid-admin on January 21, 2013 at 9:40 am, and is filed under Events. Follow any responses to this post through RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback from your own site. |
Upcoming Grads: How to Prepare
Jan 18th
Graduating college is one of the most exciting experiences for students and young professionals. It can also be one of the most overwhelming times. You should start preparing for your next steps while you’re still in college. If you are a recent graduate, no worries, it’s never too late to start or continue preparing.
Not sure where to begin? Start my establishing your goals and objectives. This may sound corny, but it’s a sure way to get the ball rolling. Identify your goals, list the steps required to accomplish those goals then create a plan to achieve them. A little hint, one of those steps should be to do as many internships as possible. It’s the best way to gain industry experience, put your studies into practice and show to employers that you have serious interest. You can find internships through your school, networking and online job boards such as YouTern.
Another way to achieve your goals while still in school is to join clubs, organizations and sports teams. It’s a great way to meet other students, network and gain team work experience. Hey, you never know when one your of soccer teammates in college can provide you with an”in” for your dream job. Along these lines, volunteering is another manner in which you can network and gain valuable experience.
With regards to your resume, create a tailored resume. This can’t be stressed enough. Hiring managers and recruiters can spot a generic resume a mile away. Start by creating a generic resume; listing your skills, qualifications and accomplishments and from there tailor it for specific jobs.
And of course, don’t forget to relax and fun. Don’t succumb to the “all work and no play” motto. You are about to graduate after all, enjoy this time!
| Print article | This entry was posted by pyramid-admin on January 18, 2013 at 9:50 am, and is filed under Recent and Upcoming Grads. Follow any responses to this post through RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback from your own site. |
Job Search Tips: How to Stand Out from the Crowd
Jan 11th
As we’ve mentioned in previous posts, the start of the New Year is a popular time of year for job seekers. This is a great time to reinvent your job search and approach it with a fresh strategy. This new strategy needs to come with an approach on how to stand out from the crowd. Throw out your generic resume, focus on growing your network and tap into your creative side.
- Tailor your resume and cover letter
Focus on your two to three of your strongest strengths and link them to the primary responsibilities of the position you are seeking. Show how you have learned new tasks and adapted to changes in past positions. An interest in learning is always appealing to hiring managers, but just don’t say it, show examples.
- Grow your network
Position yourself as an emerging leader in your field by creating a content-rich blogs and establishing strong social media presence. Try to make yourself a go-to resource or “expert” on a specific subject matter. One way to build your network of followers is to cite articles and posts from industry leaders in your field. Become active on industry social platforms, such as specialized LinkedIn groups. Don’t limit yourself to only growing your online presence; attend industry networking events to meet industry leaders and members of your industry face to face.
- Tap into your creative side
Get creative with not only the job search process, but with the application process, too. With regards to job searching, look into niche boards with focus on your industry. These boards generally have smaller applicant pools meaning less competition. During the application process, consider a video, multimedia or infographic resume, if appropriate for the position you are applying to.
Remember, you need take action. You will go nowhere fast if you don’t make any moves. You never know what could come of new job search strategies.
| Print article | This entry was posted by pyramid-admin on January 11, 2013 at 10:22 am, and is filed under Job Search. Follow any responses to this post through RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback from your own site. |
The Top 10 PCG Blog Posts of 2012
Dec 31st
Here is a look back on some of the most memorable posts on The Job Pyramid in 2012!
1 .Job Hunting Tips for Recent Grads
Highlights: Your major does not define your career path. Your major should play to your strengths. Inform employers about the skills you learned through your major, not the major itself.
Highlights: One-way interviews pre-screen candidates by having them respond to pre-set questions without a recruiter on the other end. Two-way interviews are conducted using a video calling service, such as Skype.
3. Resume Writing: What Stays and What Goes?
Highlights: Did you know, 72% of resumes are never seen by human eyes? Unfortunately, there is no way of knowing if a company uses one or not. The best way to approach this problem is to tailor your resume just like you would for a hiring manager. You have to read through your resume, delete all of the clutter and focus on the important key words.
4. Topics You Should Mention in an Interview
Highlights: If you have done the proper research on the company before the interview, you may have knowledge of upcoming developments or recent/on-going projects at the company. You should definitely incorporate this somewhere in the interview, but make sure it’s organic. Other topics you should mention are your skills and how they relate to the job as well as the industry as a whole.
Highlights: You should always treat the phone interview the same way you would an in-person job interview. Make sure you are in an area that has good reception and quiet. Don’t get too comfortable in the room and if possible, schedule the interview for a time of day when you’re most alert.
6. Tips for an Effective Cover Letter
Highlights: Use your cover letter as a method of influence and persuasion. Captivate with the first sentence. Make a personal connection. Follow the “Don’t Overuse ‘I’ Rule”. Showcase your accomplishments. There is no “I” in “TEAM”
Highlights: Research the event to find out the types of people/clients that will be attending. This way you can think of a general topic ahead of time that most would be interested in discussing. Use your own experiences to add to the conversation. Ask people about their work.
8. How to Effectively Use Your Professional Profile
Highlights: Keep it up to date – whenever you have an update, post it. Refresh your keywords and specialties – search online for common words that best describe what you do and use these key words organically. Be aware – create multiple online profiles and a personal blog and make sure they are all connected to enhance your personal search rankings.
9. Mentionings: 10 Musts to Score Your Dream Job
Highlights: If possible, gain some internship experience in the field where you’re applying. Understand that there is a fine line between being persistent and being a nuisance. Make sure you emphasize your accomplishments and not your credentials. Always come prepared with questions to ask the interviewer and customize your resume.
10. Tips for Calming Down Before an Interview
Highlights: Draft some basic questions you know you’ll be asked and rehearse in front a mirror or a friend. Do not start to dream up scenarios about how the interview can go wrong. Think positively. Get enough sleep. Take deep breaths to release anxiety. Take a trip to the office building before the day of your interview. This will reassure you that you are able to get there, how long it will take and will give you a visual of what you’re walking into.
And that’s a wrap! Looking forward to continue writing in 2013!
| Print article | This entry was posted by pyramid-admin on December 31, 2012 at 9:25 am, and is filed under Chronicles For Candidates. Follow any responses to this post through RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback from your own site. |
Resume Writing: What Stays and What Goes?
Dec 10th
It’s that time again; time to update your resume. Whether you are someone who is continuously maintaining your resume or someone who updates only when they are looking to leave a job, this process is time consuming. After all, your resume is your first impression with an employer so it should accurately reflect your skills and experiences. Unfortunately, most job applicants create a generic resume that fails to make hiring managers notice them.
According to a study researched earlier this year by TheLadders, recruiters spend an average of “six seconds before they make the initial ‘fit or no fit’ decision” on candidates. That being said, here are some general guidelines to keep in mind.
5 Things to Delete from Your Resume Immediately
- An objective statement – the time for these have come and gone.
- Personal interests and/or hobbies – eave this casual interview conversation.
- Basic skills – everyone can type, focus on specialized skills in your field such as Adobe Creative Suite or Quickbooks.
- Your picture – this simply looks unprofessional.
- Every prior job you’ve held – only put prior jobs that relate to the position you are applying for.
Nowadays, you not only have to catch the eye of the hiring manager, but you have to have key words for applicant tracking systems (ATS). Did you know, 72% of resumes are never seen by human eyes? Unfortunately, there is no way of knowing if a company uses one or not. The best way to approach this problem is tailor your resume just like you would for a hiring manager.
5 Tricks to Making Your Resume ATS Friendly
- Use language from the job description
- Choose standard, readable fonts
- Focus on your skills section
- Don’t use special characters
- Get rid of irrelevant information
You have to read through your resume, delete all of the clutter and focus on the important key words. Once this has been ironed out, proofreading can’t be stressed enough. Look for not only spelling areas, but grammar mistakes and correct capitalization. Read it silently, read it out loud, take a break and read it again. In the end, do not rely solely on your eyes. Send your resume over to a friend to review, too.
| Print article | This entry was posted by pyramid-admin on December 10, 2012 at 3:37 pm, and is filed under Right Your Resume. Follow any responses to this post through RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback from your own site. |
Resume Writing: Back to Basics
Oct 12th
When looking for a new position, job seekers sometimes tend to put less emphasis on the resume and more into networking and the actual act of job hunting. You can not underestimate the importance of writing a good resume. On that note, there are a few back to basics I’d like to discuss: contact information, grammar, and critical information.
Contact Information
I can not stress enough how important it is to put your contact information on your resume. Time and time again I’ve come across resumes without contact information or with inappropriate email addresses. If you do not have an email address with your name in it then I suggest you look into getting one. It simply looks more professional. I know what you’re thinking; I e-mailed my resume so the hiring manager obviously has the e-mail address. This is not necessarily the case though, especially with applicant tracking systems (ATS). Even if an ATS isn’t in place, more often than not, a hiring manager saves the resume and deletes the email. With regards to a phone number, best practice is to write your cell phone number. Be cautious of putting your office number and keep in mind moving if you put your home number.
I know that many people don’t like the idea of giving out their home address. However, on the other end of the spectrum, the employer needs to know where you are located because they may not be interested in relocating a candidate or knowledge of the local community may be a qualification for the position. So, at a minimum, include you city and state.
Grammar
We’ve all made writing mistakes. Most of the time our good friend, spell check, will catch us when we make a blunder. But unfortunately, as we all know, this is not always so. Hiring managers will generally overlook a couple of typos that anyone could fail to see (we’re human, right?). Then there are those grammar mistakes that simply can not be overlooked. Here are five mistakes you can’t afford to make and that will take you back to your school days in English class:
- Contractions vs. Possessive Pronouns
- Homophones
- Apostrophe Use
- Tenses
- Subject-Verb Agreement
Critical Information
It is very common for job seekers to state responsibilities and skills and leave it at that. The hiring manager wants to know what resulted from these responsibilities and how you use your skills to achieve success. With the addition of critical information about results, you can make a seemingly unimportant task important.
At the end of the day resumes are about you, an individual. When writing a resume you are inclined to ramble and highlight points that you believe are important. A company doesn’t care about that stuff; a company only cares about how you will fit in with their culture and what you can bring to the table.
| Print article | This entry was posted by pyramid-admin on October 12, 2012 at 10:47 am, and is filed under Right Your Resume. Follow any responses to this post through RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback from your own site. |
Social Media for Job Seekers
Sep 17th
It is no surprise that there is a high demand for hiring individuals with social media skills. The growth of social media isn’t only for job seekers. A recent survey by Jobvite reported that 92% of recruiters use social media to find talent. This survey further goes on to say that 2/3 of companies now recruit through Facebook and more than half (54%) use Twitter to find new talent, while LinkedIn is remains the top social media site, used by 93%.
So when you ask yourself: “Does it really help my job hunt to join LinkedIn, create a personal website or set up a blog?” The answer is absolutely YES!
First things first, you should search your own name to see what pops up. It is important to note that recruiters may not only look at social media sites, but also any external links with information about you. When you engage in social media, the information provided should support your image and reinforce the information in your resume.
When it comes to social networking and job search, creativity thrives. If you’re seeking a job in social media, public relations, marketing or a related, check out these resumes for inspiration on how to create a modern resume and stand out from the crowd. The living resume is also something to consider. A great example of this is using Pinterest as a resume. For more information, click here.
| Print article | This entry was posted by pyramid-admin on September 17, 2012 at 11:03 am, and is filed under Job Search, Social Media. Follow any responses to this post through RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback from your own site. |
