How the layout of your resume measures up.

Many job hunters have approached me inquiring about the importance of the layout in a resume format. People usually ask me, “How important is the layout of my resume?” Without question, the layout of your resume is undoubtedly important. Although the layout of your resume carries considerable weight, it is not the most important aspect of your resume. The key to a powerful resume is perfection in grammar, flow of thought, spelling, and mechanics. Only the best resume writing services will ensure 100% flawless documentation. That is the recipe that can propel oneself  in his or her career.

When networking skills and qualifications to land your dream career, the most attractive format will be useless if the content appears boring and unoriginal. Furthermore, a resume solely based on a visual stimulating format will be worthless if it contains even the tiniest, miniscule mistake. A careless misspelling, improper punctuation, overusing adjectives or verbs, and different use of tenses are just a few of the most common mistakes I see when reviewing client’s former resumes. A resume that appears to transcend other resumes because of its dynamic layout will be tossed into the trash without a fleeting thought if the content is not absolutely perfect. If you want your resume to transcend the pile of resumes from other applicants you must be certain the advertising message of your resume is impeccable. Certified Professional Resume Writers are skilled at ensuring custom perfection so you can rest assured that you will be given fair consideration to interview for the job.

 

Sound too good to be true? It probably is.

Have you ever had your friend call you up excited with the best news ever?! “I just got a job offer to make $2000 a week for mailing envelopes from home!” You can tell it’s a scam just like you can tell it’s going to rain when you see a black cloud looming over your head. But how do you break the news to your friend? And how can you equip them or yourself to spot these crooks before they are involved with an identity theft battle?

Sad to say, some people would rather make money by cheating someone than by hard work. Here are a few tips to keep you on your toes the next time you are searching for meaningful employment. These guidelines could save you a huge headache and a lot of money.

1. Too much incentive, too fast. Be wary of employers who offer big rewards for minimal work. Take a step back and objectively look at the job offer. If everyone could make $2000 every week for working a few hours a week, everyone would be doing that. General rule of thumb: if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

2. Building rapport too fast. Usually, a company will profess to have no strings attached. Although freebies appear free, watch out for hidden agendas. Don’t be surprised if hidden fees suddenly begin to appear from thin air. If anyone ever tells you something is free, but it really isn’t, plant a huge red flag and avoid these shady business schemes like the plague.

3. Fraudulent claims. Many fraudulent business opportunities make false claims with things like celebrity endorsements; foolproof, automatic money making methods; and inside information that may seem enticing. Recognize that these claims seldom hold water and should serve as a caution sign before you proceed.

4. Money back guarantee. Every business has its risks, but legitimate businesses have calculated risks. Factors that influence success include the market, the product, your time, your ability to sell, generate leads, etc. Don’t accept a money back guarantee just because it has the word “guarantee” in it.

Keep this information in mind when your eye tends to get distracted by a fraudulent career opportunity. You can protect yourself and your loved ones by heeding the warning to fraudulent attacks. Help your friends, family, and yourself to find meaningful employment opportunities successfully- through hard work. Avoid the gut-wrenching feeling that will come from a fraudulent career opportunity. Start with a professional resume that sets you apart and prepare for your job interviews. You will see the rewards of your hard work begin to pay off.

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The most important parts of the interview process.

The Recency and Primacy Effects
I want you to think about two very interesting items: the primacy effect and the recency effect. I was not familiar with these terms until my friend with a degree in psychology explained them to me (thanks J-Bone). The primacy and recency effects refer to how humans remember the beginning and the ending items of a list much more reliably than they might remember middle content within the list.

The same holds true when it comes to human interaction. We tend to recall content from the beginning and end of an interaction much more reliably than we might from the body of the interaction. This is why managers who conduct interviews are constantly writing notes through the duration of the interview. They already know they will easily forget this important information, so they write it down.

“I don’t understand. Why is this information relative to the interview process?” you ask. Knowing this information narrows down our objectives in the interview. By narrowing objectives we can focus on the key elements of the interview and confidently relax during the rest of the interview. Essentially, now we have all the information we need to knock the socks off of any human resources director in the interview setting.

The Most Important Parts of the Interview
Questions perplex the most prepared interview candidates: how to groom properly, how to dress, how to shake hands, what fragrance to wear, how to answer interview questions, how to hold your physique, good eye contact, body language, etc. Instead of making this more complex than it has to be, I want to focus on the four single most important parts of the interview process your interviewer- the parts your interviewer will remember the most. If you can master just these 4 simple rules don’t be surprised if you find yourself reaching your career goals much sooner than you imagined.

1. The Proper Introductory Handshake
You only get one chance to make a first impression. Make it a positive and memorable experience for your interviewer to give yourself an edge. Extend your hand directly perpendicular to the ground, thumb pointing up. (A palm pointed to far down could communicate dominance to the receiver; if your palm is pointed too far up could communicate deep submission to the receiver.) Always think medium firm- medium firm all the way. Don’t shake too light or you may be perceived as weak. Too firm and you may be perceived as obnoxious. Think middle and think medium firm. Not too hard and not too light.

Eye contact is synonymous with handshaking. Maintaining eye contact during the handshake communicates that you are trustworthy and confident- huge factors if you want to stand out from the crowd. Avoid looking away as this could communicate deception, calling your integrity into question- not the best way to start the interview off.

2. The Smile
Interviews, for almost everyone, are uncomfortable. They are naturally unnatural. Even people who conduct the interview have some level of discomfort. You can break through your discomfort quite quickly by planting a beautiful smile on your face (this may have to be faked for some people). Practice your best smile in a mirror. If you know you are susceptible to the nerves associated with job interviews, think of a favorite comedian or fun times with friends or family, or a really funny video you saw recently. The smile will communicate that you are confident, positive, warm, friendly, reasonable, and on, and on. If you can crack a great smile even if for just a second when you introduce yourself, you undoubtedly improve your chances of owning realty in your interviewer’s brain.

3. The Question: “Tell me one reason I should not hire you.”
Don’t foolishly dodge this question. (1) Own it like an adult and tell the nice interviewer about an area for improvement in your professional life. And don’t go overboard here; this is not the time to confess how you used to steal company property, or have your buddy in shipping punch you in from time to time. This is where you choose a topic such as “focus.” (2) Explain how you could improve your focus more, and (3) give an example or two about how you have already made significant strides toward mastery.

This one is going to take the most effort on your part. Take a minute to really think about an area in your life you would like to improve. Follow the three-part format above and answer the question honestly. The interviewer will be impressed with your honesty and your ability to handle the question in the interview no sweat.

4. The Closing
Memorize these sentences: “Thank you for giving me the opportunity to interview for the (insert position for the interview here) position. I understand other candidates are being considered for the same position. I am sure most of those candidates will be able to fill the position just fine. But I want you to know that I bring an additional level of passion (or any quality) to my job that makes me the best candidate for the position. Thank you again for your time.” (Repeat steps 1 and 2 and you’re done)

You should be well on your way to landing your golden career now that you are properly equipped for battle of the interview process. Be sure to still spend time attending to the your grooming, attire, and other important details for a professional appearance. But focus on the main elements of the interview that will essentially win you the position. It all starts with an attention-getting, professionally written resume that stands on its own level. What you put into the interview process is what you’ll get out of the interview process.

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Tell me about it…

This post is dedicated to those who valiantly walk into work each day, put up with some bs, but nevertheless put in a good day of solid work for their employer.  The problem with most companies is that big issues seem to run much deeper than everyday bs.  These are the issues that make you hate your job.

When asked what the worst part about her job was, Sharon T. responded, “When I was working in a photo lab, my boss hired a guy who was COLOR BLIND to do color corrections in photos. After having numerous customers bring their pictures back because they were wrong, I decided to inform my boss about the situation. She told me that I was putting him down to build myself up”.

We are posing the same question to you. What is the worst job you ever had and why?

This is an open griping session for everyone who needs to blow off steam about a position, a company, or a boss that’s made you go completely bananas.  This is your chance to gripe about what bothers you most about corporate America.

Cheers!

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Four steps to financial security.

Some people buy a one-dollar lottery ticket and they are instantly rich.  Some people earn a comfortable living after spending eight to 12 years in college.  And some people are just lucky enough to be born into one of those rich families.

Feel gypped?

Well, you can, because you are. (kidding)  There’s still good news: you still have control over your earning potential.  You see, most people spend their entire life trying to figure out exactly what it is they want to do with their life and before they know it it’s gone.  These types of people waste time, which we all know is just like wasting money.  Other people know exactly what they want but never exert themselves to earn their fullest potential.  These people are what we call content and they typically make at least six figures.  And then you have the go-getters who spend hundreds of thousands of dollars and multiple years devoted to their studies- some of which find out upon graduation that their degree is obsolete.

What a frustrating cycle.  We are here to equip you with an arsenal to fight this battle and break this cycle of struggling.  Here’s what you can do to start:

1.  Set a goal.  Figure out exactly what you need from a job, what you have to offer, and realistically evaluate how much you think you’re worth.  Make a list of those needs, add about 10% to your evaluated worth (this figure is much closer to your earning potential), and go get it.  That’s easier said than done no doubt.  But it all starts with a goal.  Your goal will serve to keep you focused and on track for what’s important to you.

2.  Hire a Certified Professional Resume Writer so you don’t have to worry if your resume is either perfect, or even just good enough to land the job you want.  While a resume does not guarantee a job per se, a professionally written resume will pave the way to open many more career opportunities which will likely increase your earning potential. A resume is a professional document that needs to be treated with the highest standard of perfection.  Because this official document is your first impression on employers, anything less than perfection is unacceptable.  The slightest, minute error will block any chance you might have to advance to the interview process. Be picky about which resume writer you choose and make sure he or she is affiliated with one of the major professional resume writing associations recognized in industry standards; the PARW or the NRWA .

3.  Prepare for the interview with a friend, spouse, brother, sister, parent, or anyone else who is willing to put you on the spot with grilling questions.  This doesn’t have to take up your entire day, but you should be able to easily provide well thought answers to the interviewer’s “trick questions.”  When you’re prepared you can be confident because you’ll realize you’ve already been here before.  You’ve already practiced how you’re going to handle the tough ones in the interview. And when you’re ready to negotiate your earning potential, you’ll already have a good idea of what to expect.
Think practicing sounds silly?  Think about how silly it will be when you land a job with 20% increase in pay- all because you prepared a little.

4.  Subscribe to a career advice blog that is geared toward helping you reach your goal- one that makes you feel important.  Distractions will keep anyone from accomplishing his or her goals.  If you want to reach your earning potential and enjoy the freedom of financial security take a few minutes to start thinking of what you want- your current goals, your intermediate goals, and your long-term goals.

So, if you’re lucky enough to hit the lottery jackpot, marry into royalty, or you just have the will and determination to grind it out in 12 years of college, then good for you; you should be proud of yourself or consider yourself lucky.  But if you want to start turning heads in the human resources department and earn the respect and money you deserve, explore the four steps to financial security and start living your life.

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Ready? … Set? … Interview

You just got out of your interview—Thank God; it was brutal!  You are certain that you just wasted 45 minutes of your life with some stranger who’s already forgotten about you.  But what if you got the impossible opportunity to be a fly on the wall during your competition’s interview sessions?  Do you imagine they all presented themselves much more professionally than you?  Or are you smart enough to realize that they may be your biggest ally in this game?

You see, most people do not prepare for their interview– they simply wing it, hoping for the best, only to find out that they are back to being stuck in another dead-end job they hate.  So, lets take a brief look into your competition, shall we?

Several factors (body language, general hygiene, eye contact, etc.) provide the human resource department with a wealth of knowledge about the value you bring to the table.  Too much perfume or cologne?- red flag!; slouch- red flag!; weak hand shake- very big red flag!  Your words, appearance, body language, voice tonality must be convincing for you to land that glamorous new career.  If you simply have good manners you may already be a few steps ahead of the game and you might not even know it.

So, the next time you find yourself waiting in anticipation for your next job interview remember that if you nail the basics of the interview (eye contact, body language, appearance, and voice tonality) you are light years ahead of your competition.  Stay tuned for simple techniques that will help you through the process.

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EXPAN D I  N   G

Job Hunting HQ has been providing solid resume writing services for over 11 years.  Now, Job Hunting Headquarters is expanding by providing more online services offering free help, interesting stories, and practical advice via its new blog.  Search the new interactive blog to find answers to a job hunter’s most troubling questions.

Facebook and Twitter accounts have also been created in an attempt to reach more candidates who can benefit from our services.  These new avenues will make it easier for people just like you to benefit from our outstanding services.

Job hunting is a competitive game; you need to be on top of your game to stand up against your competition and reach your career goals.  Flourishing with a wealth of inside knowledge and applicable experience, you can be equipped with an arsenal in your job hunting toolbox.  Please check out these new resources for the very latest on cutting-edge techniques in job hunting strategies.