Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Saturday, August 13, 2011
10 Phrases that can kill your resume...
This is an excellent article that I have found. It is very true and I wish everyone would follow this. We tell all our clients about this exact thing and offer a document to help with this....
10 Phrases That Could Kill Your Resume!
Are these just meaningless throwaway words like "I have great communication skills". So what? Do you find yourself using these terms. These terms are probably not helping your job seeking efforts. So what should you do to avoid using them?:Editor's NoteShare152
10 phrases You Should Ban From Your Resume:
This is one of the most over-used cliches, so try to find a way you can show that you are this team player. Did you collaborate with someone or with a department to meet an objective? Put that on your resume instead of a vague, cliched expression. Be detailed about your achievement.
2. "I Have Great Communication Skills."
Communication skills can mean so many things, which is why using this term on your resume only makes you lose your recruiter's interest. What communication skills did you use to contribute to your employer? Did you create a presentation, a press release or lead a conference call? State your specific achievement.
4. "I'm a Problem Solver."
Everybody loves a problem solver, which is why so many resumes state this skill with pride. You can do better: tell your prospective company what problem you solved. Did you optimize a troubling schedule, did you solve an employee dispute or did you iron out a problem with a customer? Again, be specific to be memorable.
5. "I Assisted In X Task."
Maybe you weren't the lead on a particular project, but saying you "assisted" is the kiss of death for your resume. What was it that you did? Did you write a sales report or keep inventory? Write that on your resume with pride, and lose the "assisted" - you're better than that.
6. "I Have a Strong Work Ethic."
A strong work ethic - that sounds great, right? You're not the only one using this cliche, so freshen up your resume by stating how you go that extra mile. Did you take a class to improve your skills? Did you meet some really tough deadline? Show the hiring official what makes you this person with a strong work ethic, instead of using another cliche like your fellow applicants.
7. "I'm Bottom-Line Focused."
Another hollow term that is overused and now means nothing - so show what you did that added to the bottom-line of your company. It's very important to quantify for this skill: list amounts of money, time, or resources you saved or added to the business.
8. "I'm Responsible For X."
We're all responsible for something when we go to work, whether a janitor or a CEO. Drop this expression and just state what your job title is and what you added to the company's success. Cutting these clutter words will make your resume stronger and more to-the-point.
9. "I'm Self-Motivated."
What you're really trying to say is that you're not that slacker who clocks out at three every day, but this cliche is not going to help you get your point across. Find a way to show that you're self-motivated: did you overhaul a broken inventory system, or find a new way to expand your sales territory? Self-motivated employees find innovative ways to improve on what they've been handed - put what you actually did on your resume.
10. "I'm Accustomed to a Fast-Paced Environment."
What does this mean, exactly? Fast-paced work environments are the norm in this recession, where most people do more work for less money. To be specific, look at one of your busiest days in your (former) job. What did you accomplish, and how did you adapt to the obstacles thrown your way? Put that achievement on your resume to prove that you can adapt when challenged - a quality employers look for."
For the complete article by Claire Bradley, go to Investopedia.com
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Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Is your job safe?
There are different ways to be more
assured that you will be on the top 5 in the heap of resumes on the
recruiter or hiring managers desk. Your resume must SCREAM to them that
you are the perfect candidate.
How do you do this.....well you need to make sure your resume is PERFECT. I mean NO spelling mistakes, NO grammar mistakes, NO gaps in your employment record. Every recruiter inspects your resume with a fine tooth comb. One slip and your filed under "G".
Today's report from states Canada reveals that unemployment has reached a new record since 2007. That is when the recession started.
So, what does this mean for you? Is YOUR job safe? the answer is that NO one's job is "safe". People seem to be under this misconception that there is still job security in this day and age. You could not be more WRONG.. There is NO such thing as job security any more. Not even the CEO is untouchable. There use to be something called job security and if you were one of the ones that was able to have this in your career, then you were one of the lucky ones. This has faded away back in the 90's. Since the USA is still experiencing a recession and having a very hard time recovering, this is now having a bad effect on Canada. As usual we are effected by the USA economy, you might think this is unfair or not the case. Well wake up Canada it sure is! we rely heavily on the USA and importing and exporting to and from them. We need them to purchase and produce so that we can survive. People are under the misconception that when our dollar is higher then the US dollar, that is a good thing. That is the furthest thing from the truth. We need them to keep above our dollar, otherwise they start to move their companies back to the USA, thus leaving hundreds of Canadians out of work and increasing the unemployment rate. This effects many things such as mortgage rates, interest rates and may other things we use.
So, is your job safe......well based on the stats reported, no. As i stated above there is no job that is safe anymore. If you want to avoid loosing your job,, I suggest the following be done.
1) be on time....make sure you are at your desk and started your work day ON TIME. not there getting coffee and chatting it up with Gloria about your night, do that 15 minutes BEFORE your scheduled to start work.
2) when you have successfully completed your task, ask the boss if they need help with anything before you start your next project. State that you are just taking a breather before starting your next project and want fresh eyes. Therefore you have a little time to help him/her out. That this will also help you learn more about the company and department and you welcome the education.
3) NEVER and I mean NEVER be the first to end your day. This is telling the employer that you are a clock watcher. There is nothing more that an employer hates then a clock watcher.
4) Make sure you area always available when you are called upon by your boss. I am referring to not being over at Tom's desk looking at the latest pictures of his grand kids or in the lunch room chatting about the up coming events for this weekend. I mean when your boss calls your extension or stops by your desk BE THERE!
These are ways to help ensure Sally looses her full time job before you do. This makes you an asset to the firm and not a liability.
If you have any questions, let me know.....I am here to help.
How do you do this.....well you need to make sure your resume is PERFECT. I mean NO spelling mistakes, NO grammar mistakes, NO gaps in your employment record. Every recruiter inspects your resume with a fine tooth comb. One slip and your filed under "G".
Today's report from states Canada reveals that unemployment has reached a new record since 2007. That is when the recession started.
So, what does this mean for you? Is YOUR job safe? the answer is that NO one's job is "safe". People seem to be under this misconception that there is still job security in this day and age. You could not be more WRONG.. There is NO such thing as job security any more. Not even the CEO is untouchable. There use to be something called job security and if you were one of the ones that was able to have this in your career, then you were one of the lucky ones. This has faded away back in the 90's. Since the USA is still experiencing a recession and having a very hard time recovering, this is now having a bad effect on Canada. As usual we are effected by the USA economy, you might think this is unfair or not the case. Well wake up Canada it sure is! we rely heavily on the USA and importing and exporting to and from them. We need them to purchase and produce so that we can survive. People are under the misconception that when our dollar is higher then the US dollar, that is a good thing. That is the furthest thing from the truth. We need them to keep above our dollar, otherwise they start to move their companies back to the USA, thus leaving hundreds of Canadians out of work and increasing the unemployment rate. This effects many things such as mortgage rates, interest rates and may other things we use.
So, is your job safe......well based on the stats reported, no. As i stated above there is no job that is safe anymore. If you want to avoid loosing your job,, I suggest the following be done.
1) be on time....make sure you are at your desk and started your work day ON TIME. not there getting coffee and chatting it up with Gloria about your night, do that 15 minutes BEFORE your scheduled to start work.
2) when you have successfully completed your task, ask the boss if they need help with anything before you start your next project. State that you are just taking a breather before starting your next project and want fresh eyes. Therefore you have a little time to help him/her out. That this will also help you learn more about the company and department and you welcome the education.
3) NEVER and I mean NEVER be the first to end your day. This is telling the employer that you are a clock watcher. There is nothing more that an employer hates then a clock watcher.
4) Make sure you area always available when you are called upon by your boss. I am referring to not being over at Tom's desk looking at the latest pictures of his grand kids or in the lunch room chatting about the up coming events for this weekend. I mean when your boss calls your extension or stops by your desk BE THERE!
These are ways to help ensure Sally looses her full time job before you do. This makes you an asset to the firm and not a liability.
If you have any questions, let me know.....I am here to help.
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