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Want To Land A Job In 2023? Your Resume MUST Include This!

November 8, 2022

The primary goal of your resume is to help you stand out to employers so they give you a call and invite you in for an interview. It’s the first impression a hiring manager has of you, and the first step to landing a job. So, how do you optimize your resume so it beats out the competition?

Many job seekers feel lost when writing their resumes. What should you include on it? How much information is enough? What do hiring managers really want to see?

If any of these questions have crossed your mind, don’t worry. Here’s the one thing you need to include on your resume if you want to stand out to employers and land a job.

The Secret To Landing A Job In 2023? Quantifiable Accomplishments On Your Resume!

The most important thing to include on your resume is quantifiable accomplishments. Quantify your work experience and put those numbers and figures under the “Work History” section on your resume.

Not sure how to quantify your work history?

Follow these 3 tips to effectively quantify your work history on your resume:

1. Add numbers to your bullet points

You should have at least one number for each bullet point you include on your resume. If you want to show your depth of experience in certain areas, you need to show those numbers. By doing this, an employer can see how much experience you have and how often you use a certain skill. So it’s really important to add as many numbers as you can to these bullet points.

Go through an average day at work, list all of your responsibilities and tasks, and ask yourself, “Okay, so if this is what I was doing every day, how often was I doing it? How much did I do? How many people did I work with?” By asking yourself these types of questions, you’ll be able to pull out those numbers and add that depth of experience to your bullet points.

2. Include 3-7 bullet points per role

For each role you list on your resume, you should write three to seven of these quantified bullet points to showcase the skill sets that you have that are related to the position you’re applying for. Any more than that and you’ll likely overwhelm the reader. The hiring manager may think you’re overqualified, that your experience is all over the place, or that you wouldn’t be happy in the job.

So, be careful how much you put on your resume because too little text sends a message, but so does too much text. You need just the right amount of information, and three to seven bullet points is the sweet spot.

3. Choose accomplishments that support your relevant hard skills

You need to be intentional with what you’re choosing to put on your resume to make sure you’re supporting your specialty, that service you provide to employers as a business-of-one. The key is to only choose the accomplishments that relate to the skill sets you’re showcasing in the top fold of your resume, the skill sets that directly support your specialty.

Make sure you’re intentionally pulling these things and including them on your resume as opposed to listing every accomplishment you’ve ever had in your career. This is going to be very important in terms of showcasing that depth of experience because you don’t want hiring managers to get distracted. You don’t want them focusing on an accomplishment that doesn’t support a relevant skill set. Make it clear what your specialty is and how you’ve provided value to employers with those skill sets in the past.

Why Quantifying Your Work History Is Essential

Quantifying your work history is usually the hardest part of writing a resume for job seekers. It’s simply not something we learn in school. Recruiters and hiring managers don’t want to know how you did your job or what your tasks were. All they care about are the results.

What did you make happen as a result of your work? How did you add value? When you quantify your work history, a recruiter can look at the hiring manager and say, “This person has done this, this, and this. And here are the numbers to prove it.” That’s why your resume needs to be quantified. It’s proof that you’re a qualified job candidate and a valuable potential employee.

What Does “Quantifying Your Work History” Look Like?

There is always a way to quantify your work experience. You may think that you have nothing to quantify on your resume, but you do.

If this is your first time trying to quantify your work history and you can’t think of anything that counts as a quantifiable accomplishment, write out what you did at a specific job, circle every noun, and ask yourself: “Can I quantify that?”

For example, a receptionist may not think they have any quantifiable accomplishments or any type of work history that can be quantified. But when they asked themselves the right questions, they realized they accomplished a lot more than they thought, and they could assign numbers to these accomplishments. They asked…

“How many people work at my company?”
“How many calls did I take a day?”
“How many phone lines were on the system?”

The result? A few bullet points listing their quantifiable work experience:

Receptionist for a 500-person firm
Handled over 100 phone calls a day
Managed a 12-line phone system

You can absolutely quantify your work experience. You will find a way. Circle every noun and quantify them. Look for percentages. If you can’t come up with exact numbers, you can use your best guess, erring on the conservative side. What was the percentage of growth? What was the percentage of savings? What were the revenues? There are always numbers. You just have to look for them.

In order to land a job in 2023, your resume must have quantifiable accomplishments. It may be difficult at first, but once you get the hang of quantifying your work history, you’ll never go back. Quantify your work history on your resume and start seeing results in your job search today!

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How To Mention Unrelated Work Experience On Your Resume

September 16, 2022

Many candidates who come to us for resume help have the same question. They have years of professional work experience, but a lot of it isn’t relevant to the position they’re currently seeking.

On the one hand, they don’t want to waste resume space detailing work that doesn’t relate to their application. On the other hand, they don’t want to omit years of work that developed them as a professional.

How do you mention unrelated work experience on your resume?

The Right Phrase

We use a magic phrase to address this issue: “additional experience.” It’s perfectly fine to sum up large portions of your career in one section that lists previous employers, positions, leadership roles, certifications, associations, publications, awards, volunteer experience, and even significant hobbies (as long as the experience supports your professionalization in some way).

If you spent the first 10 years of your marketing career performing lower-level tasks, in your “Additional Experience” section at the end of your resume you could say: “Marketing positions with ABC, DEF, and XYZ (1990-2000).”

If your previous work was in an unrelated field, you can simply list the companies: “Positions with ABC, DEF, and XYZ.”

Whatever additional experience you decide to include on your resume, make sure you demonstrate why it’s important to the job you’re applying for by quantifying the work experience and your accomplishments.

The Age Game

This technique can also be very helpful for those who are concerned about age discrimination. We summarized the first 15 years of one candidate’s career into one sentence to downplay the fact that she was 55. Because her experience was relevant to her field, removing it from her resume entirely would have been a disservice, but we did not include the years that experience encompassed in her “Additional Experience” section.

The Experience Issue

We recently worked with another candidate who needed to show that she was a more experienced professional than her education suggested. This woman had worked for 10 years before going back to complete her bachelor’s degree. From looking at her graduation dates, you would assume she was in her 20s. In fact, she was an experienced manager in her 30sâa fact that was important to show for the level of job she was seeking.

By adding an “Additional Experience” section and putting her “Work History” section before her “Education” section, she was able to show employers that her graduation dates were not an indication of how much experience she had. Just because her work experience occurred before graduating doesn’t mean it was unrelated work experience. The right resume format will make it much easier to mention any kind of significant work experience you’ve had in your career.

Many of us have work experience that doesn’t fit neatly with our current goals and objectives. If you don’t feel comfortable leaving it off your resume altogether, using an “Additional Experience” section can help you mention the experience quickly without wasting precious resume space.

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This article was originally published at an earlier date.

How To Create An Effective Resume Even If You Were Fired

September 9, 2022

How can you make an effective resume after getting fired? People get fired from their job for various reasons. However, to a potential new employer, it may leave an unfavorable connotation on the candidate.

If you find yourself in such a situation, you may have a number of questions concerning how to address the adverse reactions you may receive from a potential employer. You may have questions such as:

How do I impress an employer given I was fired from my last job?
Do I include the job on my resume?
How should I answer when asked the reason for departing my previous job?

Understandably, there are many questions on your mind. And yet, there are ways to be truthful in answering the questions your potential new employer may have for you, along with tips to make such a situation feel a little less threatening. Essentially, before updating your resume for the next job opportunity, think about:

Is The Experience From Your Last Position Relevant?

If there is little to no relevance between the positions, you do not have to showcase it on your resume. The hiring company is primarily interested in relevant experience and skills you can bring to their company. You might be able to break your resume into “Relevant Experience” and “Additional Experience” sections.

How Long Were You In The Position?

If you were in the position for only a few months, it may not be necessary to mention it on your resume. Determine if the employment gap, should you choose not to include it, would be cause for concern by an employer. In today’s market, it’s not a surprise to see some candidates unemployed for a year before finding a new job.

How Severe Was The Cause For Firing?

Were you laid off or fired due to lack of performance or conditions outside of your control? If the latter, then you should put on the resume the reason such as âMajor Downsizing,” âCompany Relocated,” or âManagement Reorganization,” all of which indicate that the termination was not due to your performance. If the reason you were terminated was due to a minor issue that can be easily explained and seen from your point of view by a potential employer, than including the position on your resume should not be a concern. Be honest with yourself and think through your response to a potential interviewer.

Your answers to the questions above will tell you whether it is appropriate to include the job on your resume. If it is included, consider the following to help you through the application and interview process.

1. Showcase Your Achievements And Accomplishments

Your mission is to get your foot in the door for an interview and to make an outstanding impression. You do not need to bring up that you were fired or laid off from your last job on paper, especially if you were only there for a year or two. Instead of focusing on how your previous job ended, quantify what you accomplished while you were employed there.

If necessary, you will have the opportunity during an interview to explain further details.

2. Don’t Insult Your Past Employer

Even if you were fired and have bitter feelings toward your former boss or co-workers, your resume is not the time nor the place to reveal it. It is seen as unprofessional and leads to questions that focus on negative aspects.

So, even if the interviewer wasn’t planning on asking you the reason for leaving, you may have just brought it upon yourself by insulting your past employer or hinting at a conflict there on your resume.

3. Don’t Lie About Your Employment

You should never lie on your resume. Don’t fabricate anything on your resume or your reason for looking for a new job. If asked about this during an interview, you need to address the question truthfully, but keep it brief regarding the reason for your departure and move on to more positive points. At least you now have your foot in the door and have a greater advantage of explaining the reason for departure in a more positive light.

You can also use it to your advantage to reinforce points of achievements and accomplishments that may apply to the job. Remember that companies do check references and background information. Any candidate caught lying is grounds for dismissal.

4. Pull Together Your References

Gather people you worked with on the job as references, whether it’s co-workers, clients, or vendors. Individuals who worked with you on the job and who can speak positively about your work can help effectively rid any negative connotations associated with being fired.

In this instance, it makes sense to include references with your resume, especially written recommendations.

5. Focus On Functionality Rather Than Chronology

This is a last resort option. Functional resumes typically are not used since it lacks detail on dates of employmentâinformation most employers want to know.

A functional resume focuses on grouping specific skills and experiences together as the highlight of the resume. This type of format might also work for the career changer and those with gaps in employment history that are due to other pursuits, such as education or family.

This is the last resort, though. We recommend using a chronological resume format, even if you got fired. But it might be worth it to try a functional resume format if the chronological format isn’t working for you.

Being fired means you have an additional hurdle to overcome to find a new job, but it is not insurmountable. It’s all in the way you frame it on your resume and handle yourself in addressing the matter if the subject comes up. Remain positive, address any concerns succinctly and honestly, and then move on to the more positive highlights.

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This article was originally published at an earlier date.

How To Choose The Right Skills To Include On Your Resume

August 30, 2022

When you begin the job application process, you need to make sure your resume is optimized and ready to be sent out to employers. The struggle isn’t so much finding enough things to include on your resume. Rather, it’s choosing what skills, experiences, and accomplishments to include on your resume to boost your likelihood of landing an interview.

Choosing the right skills to include on your resume is easier said than done. What skills will really stand out to recruiters and hiring managers? What skills demonstrate why you’d be a great fit for the position? What skills best represent what you bring to the table?

Fortunately, there’s an easy process you can follow to ensure you’re answering these questions and setting yourself up for job opportunities.

Here are four steps for choosing the right skills to include on your resume:

1. Decode Job Descriptions

Before you hit “apply” on a job posting, it’s important to read through the job description and understand what the job actually entails.

What is this company really looking for in a candidate?
What responsibilities are listed?
What skills are they asking for?

You have to analyze the job description, then think about how you would fit into this “mold” of an employee that they have in mind for the position. Start to think about the core responsibilities you’ve had in your previous jobs.

Do your previous core responsibilities translate into skills that this job posting is asking forâskills that would make you a great fit for the position?

2. Ask Yourself “Can I Quantify That?”

Once you’ve decoded the job description and determined if you have the skills the employer is asking for, it’s time to think about which skills you should include on your resume (because you can’t include them all).

The key to getting your resume past the ATS is to include only hard skills on your resume.

Hard skills (skills that tie directly to core responsibilities) are what applicant tracking systems (ATS) and hiring managers want to see. They’re quantifiable. If you can’t quantify it, it’s probably a soft skill. Soft skills DO NOT belong on your resume.

So, when deciding what skills you should include on your resume, ask yourself, “Can I quantify that?” If you can, it’s a hard skill, and it belongs on your resume.

Both industry-specific and transferable hard skills can go on your resume. After decoding the job description, you will know which hard skills the employer is looking for.

3. Think About Your Brand

The next step in deciding which skills should go on your resume deals with personal branding. You want to make sure you are “branding” yourself correctly for job opportunities.

By that, we mean knowing what type of service you provide for a companyâand what skill sets support that service.

After all, here at Work It Daily, we know every job seeker is a business-of-one. Are you branding your business (yourself) correctly in order to attract customers (employers looking to invest in you)?

Know your brand, and own it!

4. Customize, Customize, Customize

The last step in deciding which skills should go on your resume is customization.

Customizing your resume is very important. You’ll probably have to highlight different skills for the different jobs you apply for. That means customizing your resume for each job application.

What projects did you work on?
What expertise did you gain?
What skills should you be emphasizing?

If you ask yourself these questions for each job you apply for, your answers will most likely differ. That’s how you’ll know you’re customizing your resume correctly and giving yourself the best chance to land an interview.

As you’re thinking about your resume, remember you have more skills than you realize. Your job is to make it easy for employers to see the connection between your skill sets and the skill sets needed to do the job. When in doubt, ask yourself, “Can I quantify that?”

The goal at this stage in the job search process is to get an interview. You can only worry about getting the job after you know you’re in the running. What skills are going to get you in the door?

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This article was originally published at an earlier date.

As you’re thinking about your resume, remember you have more skills than you realize. Your job is to make it easy for employers to see the connection between your skill sets and the skill sets needed to do the job. When in doubt, ask yourself, “Can I quantify that?”

The goal at this stage in the job search process is to get an interview. You can only worry about getting the job after you know you’re in the running. What’s going to get you in the door?

Is A Summary Necessary On A Resume?

July 21, 2022

Is a summary required on a resume? The particular short answer is: completely not!

âNo paragraph should actually lead your resume! micron warns J. T. O’Donnell, LinkedIn Influencer and founder of Function It Daily. âIt will not get read. in This is especially correct if you plan towards write an âobjective” assertion about yourself such because: âI’m a high-achieving best performer with outstanding in addition to incredible skillsâ¦”

This is a LARGE no-no, according to L. T. âI get this same answers at all times through recruitersâthey don’t like [summary statements], ” she states. âIn fact, it’s such as double nails on some sort of chalkboard to some recruiter that will see [them]. type

Why A new Resume Summary Turn up useful info

Studies show you have six seconds to find that promotion with your current resume . Based on T. T., recruiters will check out your resume inside a Z-pattern (left to right around the top fold, straight down across the page, and even over). In those 6 seconds, they have so that you can decide if they’re heading to continue reading. So, exactly what are they will be sketched to on a resume?

Daring text
Text message with white space
Simplified text

âI make a face once i see people waste materials valuable space in often the top fold of their own resume with this huge, long summary paragraph, alone says J. T. âDo NOT do it! lunch break

What To be able to Do Instead

Instead of struggling to help you write your resume, understand how to properly file format it for success. This particular includes varying your leading fold from a synopsis or objective statement for an experience summary, which is usually a listing of 6-8 difficult or transferrable skills required for the specific job you’re applying for. Likewise, make sure you quantify your job experience therefore your resume outshines your competition!

If you want to make sure you learn more about just how to do this, we are able to help.

We’d love it in case you joined our TOTALLY FREE community . Itâs a good private, online platform exactly where workers, just like people, are coming together for learn and grow in to powerful Workplace Renegades. A lot more importantly, we have lots of resources inside our community that will can help you create your resumeâthe right method.

It’s period to find work of which makes you feel delighted, satisfied, and fulfilled. Sign up for our FREE community today to lastly become an empowered business-of-one!

This article has been originally published at a good earlier date.

6 Punctuation Tips For A Sexier Resume

July 8, 2022

You want a resume, cover letter, and LinkedIn profile that presents you in the best possible light. With all of the emphasis on loading your documents with keywords, accomplishments, and metrics that make the case for you being the perfect fit for the position you’re after, have you overlooked proper punctuation?

Some might wonder what the big deal is about punctuation. Surely if you start your sentences with a capital letter and end them with a period, that’s all you need to worry about, right?

Unfortunately not.

The text in resumes is often so packed with information that seemingly inconsequential punctuation missteps can distort your meaning, or worse: cause the hiring manager to pause in confusion.

That pause is bad news for you: it may make the recruiter see you as a less-than-attractive candidate, questioning your ability to communicate or pay attention to details, both highly valued skills in today’s workplace. Just as a modern spouse becomes more alluring to a partner by doing the dishes and laundry, using proper punctuation makes you downright sexy to a hiring manager.

Both efforts make lives easier for the people who are important to you, so go the extra mile by following these important rules (and do the dishes):

1. Capitalization

In addition to appearing at the beginning of sentences and in section headings, capital letters also signify important words. But using too many “important words” in your documents slows the reader down or seems pretentious.

For example, I sometimes see text like this in resumes: “Expertise in Human Resources, Training, and Recruiting”

Try: “Expertise in human resources, training, recruiting” instead.

Other than proper names like your own name or the names of products, you will rarely need to capitalize words that don’t appear at the beginning of a line or sentence. You’ll also want to capitalize your own job title above each position listed on your resume.

However, if you reference someone else’s job title in your career documents, the general rule is that it is only capitalized when the person’s name follows (Vice President Joe Smith)ânot when merely referring to the position (as in “reporting to the vice president”).

Of course, every rule tends to have its exceptions, and there are a few for capitalization. However, these are good to start with.

2. Hyphens

Use hyphens for compound adjectives that precede a noun, such as “client-focused approach” or “full-time employees.” And if you have two adjectives that modify the same base word, use a hyphen after the first, as in “mid- and senior-level management.”

Do not use a hyphen in a compound adjective if the first word ends in -ly, as in “highly qualified candidate.”

3. Semicolons

Semicolons can either separate two independent clauses when the second clause is not directly related to the first, or they can be useful when you want to list items that already include a comma.

For example, “Proficient in software including Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint; CorelDRAW; and Adobe Photoshop.”

4. Colons

Colons are used to join two independent clauses when the second clause is directly related to the first.

The most common usage in resumes is for lists, as in “Proficient in the following software: MS Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.”

5. Commas

There’s fierce debate between those who advocate using serial, or Oxford, commas (putting a comma before the final “and” in a series) and those who don’t.

The best practice for resumes is to use serial commas, as they can really make your career documents easier to understand.

This is especially true when you list series of items where two things may be grouped together (think: sales and marketing). But even sentence construction like “Facilitate mock interviews, identify position and tailor interview questions” may cause the reader to stumble.

At first read, it may sound like the candidate is responsible for identifying a position and identifying someone who tailors clothes! So, my advice is to avoid ambiguity by always using serial commas in career documents, especially in resumes.

6. Spaces After A Period

The current convention is to use one space after a period, not two. The same goes for colons.

I know, I know.

If you grew up learning to type on an IBM Selectric, back in the Stone Age like I did, this is a hard habit to break. But, if you keep using two spaces, you’ll look as antiquated as the typewriter.

Trust me, knowing these six punctuation tips will make you a real turn-on to an employer.

Now that you’ve reviewed some of the resume punctuation rules that you’ll want to be aware of, I’ll share the most important rule of all: however you choose to use punctuation throughout your career documents, do it consistently!

Even more jarring than not following proper punctuation rules is following them only some of the time.

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This article was originally published at an earlier date.

3 Resume Tips To Avoid Appearing Overqualified

June 29, 2022

Even when you have the education and professional background to qualify for the job, don’t count on it as a sure win that you will be asked to come in for an interview. In fact, your qualifications may hinder your chances.

It’s very common in today’s market for employers to dismiss a job applicant’s resume because they are âoverqualified.”

Sometimes there’s an abundant supply of highly qualified candidates but not enough jobs to go around for everyone. In those cases, job seekers may resort to applying for positions where the level of expertise required on the job is below their previous position’s requirements. In addition, those making a career change often need to seek out entry-level positions, where there may be more job opportunities.

The challenge for job seekers is not simply competing with so many other applicants but finding a fine balance of information to place on their resume without coming off as overqualified. Employers are mostly concerned that, if you take a lesser position, you will leave once you find a position that is more commensurate with your skills.

Here are a few tips to help guide you in preparing your resume for the next job opportunity and avoid coming off as overqualified and ruining your chances of landing the job offer:

1. Only Include Relevant Work Experience

Focus on what the employer is looking for and show them you can do it. If some of your management experience is not a part of their job description, then don’t mention it. This tip is especially critical for applicants moving from one career to another.

For instance, if you had your own mortgage or construction firm and are now just looking for a sales job, just speak to your experience driving sales. You can also change your title from “Owner” to “Sales Manager.” As you list your professional experience, be sure to quantify your sales results.

2. Only Highlight Necessary Degrees

Many of today’s positions require candidates to have a bachelor’s or master’s degree. If you continued to pursue education to obtain other degrees, earning you the title of Ph.D., M.D., or others, don’t be so quick to include that information on your resume.

You have to ask if it is at all relevant to the job you are applying for. It’s great if you moved on to obtain your Ph.D. in neuroscience, but if the employer’s business and the job is focused on finance and accounting for toy manufacturing/distribution, your additional education will be of little relevance and may sway an employer to reconsider whether you are right for the position.

3. Explain Why You’re The Right Candidate

Write a disruptive cover letter that tells a story about why you’re passionate about the position, how you feel a connection to the company, and how your experience, skills, and talent make you the right fit. If there’s a chance your resume comes off as overqualified, even after following the tips above, make sure to provide sufficient explanation in your cover letter.

Give the employer confidence that you are challenged by the opportunity and will be there a year from now. The employer needs to know that you are not simply taking the job because you can’t find anything better. They also need to be assured you aren’t going to be quick to run off to another job as soon as the market improves or another opportunity opens up that is more in line with your level of experience from your previous positions.

Your resume is a marketing tool to help get your foot in the door for an interview. Placing too much information or irrelevant information will only give the employer more reason to dismiss you. Carefully review the job posting and do your research to really understand what skills and experience are desired for the position so that you present your resume and qualifications in the best light. Not everything you’ve accomplished, regardless of how significant it is, is appropriate to include on your resume.

Need more help optimizing your resume? We’re here for you!

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This article was originally published at an earlier date.

How To Address An Incomplete Degree On Your Resume

June 22, 2022

There are typically two different situations that a job seeker with an incomplete degree can be in. Either you didn’t finish your degree and don’t plan to, or you’re currently completing it. I know job seekers in both situations and there is a great way to handle the incomplete degree scenario.

So how do you address your incomplete education on your resume?

Let’s look at both scenarios: those job seekers currently pursuing a degree, and those who’ve decided not to return to school.

Didn’t Finish The Degree

I personally think it’s important to include your degree or coursework on your resume, especially when it’s related to your current or desired career field. There are two ways I would suggest tackling this:

1. List the college you went to, the program area you studied, and dates you attended school. You’re not including a degree here because one was not awarded.

2. State the university you attended, relevant courses you completed (especially if they’re related to a position you’re pursuing), and dates you attended the school.

You have to be careful when including this information on your resume. You don’t want to mislead an employer into thinking you have a degree that you don’t have. This can come back to bite you if you’re offered the position and they fact-check.

Plus, the goal here isn’t to deceive anyone into thinking that you have a degree you don’t actually have. The goal is to include any education you have receivedâwhich, in my opinion, is important to show.

Currently Pursuing A Degree

You should absolutely include information about pursuing a degree on your resumeâespecially if the position requires whatever degree or certification you’re pursuing. There are two great ways to handle including this information on your resume:

1. State the college you’re attending, degree you’re pursuing, your area of study, current GPA (if 3.0 or higher) and include your anticipated graduation date; this is very important if your graduation date is within the next 12 months.

2. List the university you’re attending, degree you’re pursuing, area of study, current GPA (if 3.0 or higher), and the words In Progress. This works well if you’re still going to be in school for a couple of years.

If the degree or certification is a requirement for the opportunity and it has been recently obtained or will soon be completed, I recommend putting your education information at the top of the resume.

If the degree or education you have isn’t required or directly related to the position, put it at the end of the resume. This is also the case if you want to share with the employer that you have some education but you don’t want to advertise that you didn’t complete your education.

No matter if you’re a college dropout or a current college student, your resume can look complete and professional with these two strategies!

Need more help writing your resume? We’re here for you!

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This article was originally published at an earlier date.

7 Ways Your Resume Is Boring Just Like Everyone Else’s

May 18, 2022May 20, 2022

More and more job seekers are coming to us and letting us know about internal opportunities within their organization that they would like to apply to. But even as more opportunities open up, the competition is as strong—or stronger—than ever before. That’s why your resume has to be perfect.

Your resume needs to stand out to the hiring manager. If you’re not getting job interviews, your resume probably isn’t as good as you think it is. In fact, it’s probably boring employers. So, take it out, brush it off, and let’s kick it up a notch.

Here are seven reasons why your resume is boring, and how to fix it…

1. It’s Still Sporting That Outdated Objective

If your resume is utilizing an objective, you really should trash it and start all over with a fresh, powerful top fold that includes your personal branding statement and a list of the skills you possess that are relevant to the position you’re applying for. A polished personal branding statement will catch the employer’s attention and give him or her the best information up front—the information he or she needs to make a decision to call you to schedule an interview.

2. The Design/Format Is Also Outdated

There is a strategy behind resume formatting and design. A simple resume format is best because it makes it easier for employers to read the information you’ve provided. But if you haven’t updated your resume formatting in years, it probably contains a lot of text and not enough white space, therefore making it hard for hiring managers to get the information they need in the few seconds they’re reviewing your resume. You’ll look out of touch and they’ll be bored quickly. So, make sure you updated your resume formatting!

3. It’s Missing Important Keywords

Omit keywords and the ATS (software system scanning your resume) can’t find you. The recruiter giving your resume a quick once-over is looking for specific keywords as well. Leave them out and you’ll be left out of the interview process.

4. It Has Generic And/Or Vague Statements

Avoid using the same old terminology that everyone else uses in their resumes. Yes, we know you can problem solve. But instead of telling me you’re a problem solver, show me the result of a problem you solved. An effective resume contains quantifiable accomplishments, not just duties or responsibilities.

5. It Doesn’t Focus On Hard Skills

And the championship goes to…hard skills. I used to be a full-time recruiter, and I used Monster and CareerBuilder to search for candidates. Not once did I enter the search terms: great communicator, excellent verbal skills, detail-oriented. These are universal statements millions use to describe themselves. Give me something tangible and relevant to the position I am trying to fill. You’ll demonstrate these hard skills when you quantify your work experience.

6. It Tells vs. Shows

Instead of wasting valuable real estate on your resume providing me with a rundown of the job description (the same one I’ve read a million times as a hiring manager), show me what you achieved, what you accomplished, and what you contributed in the past.

Wow me with something other than the predictable, mundane job description. I want to know the challenges you faced in your previous roles, how you addressed them, and the results you obtained. This makes you different from everyone else. No two people will have the exact same experiences. Your experiences are what make you outshine your competition—use them to your advantage!

7. It’s Passive

Using passive terminology is boring and lacks action. Instead of using phrases like “served as,” “duties included,” “promoted to,” and “worked with,” choose strong action verbs. Action verbs do just what they say: they convey action and, ultimately, results.

The hiring manager is interested in the results you can provide about what you did along the way. Choose terms like: launched, catapulted, spearheaded, and pioneered. These words tell me something. They show me the action you took and captivate my attention so that I want to read on to discover the results you achieved.

Your resume needs to do two things: it needs to capture the hiring manager’s attention, and it needs to motivate him or her to pick up the phone and call you for an interview. If you look and sound like everyone else, you have no competitive advantage. Therefore, you’ve provided the HR person with zero motivation to pick up the phone, call you, and schedule an interview.

Stop creating a ‘same old, same old’ resume that looks and feels just like everyone else’s. Start by adding some variety and focusing on your accomplishments today.

We know how difficult it can be to write a resume when there’s so much conflicting information out there. If you’re struggling to write an effective resume and land job interviews, we can help.

We’d love it if you joined our FREE community. It’s a private, online platform where workers, just like you, are coming together to learn and grow into powerful Workplace Renegades. More importantly, we have tons of resources inside our community that can help you write your resume—the right way.

It’s time to find work that makes you feel happy, satisfied, and fulfilled. Join our FREE community today to finally become an empowered business-of-one!

This article was originally published at an earlier date.

3 Easy Ways To Spring Clean Your Resume

April 6, 2022April 7, 2022

The concept of “spring cleaning” also extends to your career. In fact, it’s the perfect time to take a look at your resume and see what needs updating and what you can get rid of entirely. When was the last time you cleaned up your resume?

If it’s been a while since you’ve updated your resume, don’t wait any longer! Here are three easy ways you can spring clean your resume so it’s ready for your next job search.

1. Update Your Skills (And Get Rid Of Irrelevant Ones)

One of the most important parts of your resume is the experience summary, which is a list of 6-8 skills at the top of your resume. (You can find resume templates inside Work It Daily’s FREE community.) This helps your resume get past the ATS and stand out from the competition, allowing hiring managers to quickly see how you’re qualified for the job.

When spring cleaning your resume, it’s a good idea to update your list of skills, adding new ones and removing irrelevant ones. What skills have you developed? Which skills do you want to highlight in your job search? What skills do you need for the jobs you want to apply for, and how many of those do you currently have? Which skills are no longer relevant in your career or aligned with your career goals? Think about these questions as you decide which skills to include on your updated resume.

2. Quantify New (And Old!) Accomplishments

If you haven’t done so already, when you clean up your resume, you should also quantify your accomplishments. In the bullet points under each position you’ve held, you don’t just want to list your job duties. You need to talk about your accomplishments, what you achieved on the job. You need to quantify your work experience so employers can see exactly how you add value as a business-of-one. Each bullet point should include at least one number. For example, a car salesperson might write: “Sold an average of 12 cars per week.”

Once you’ve quantified your accomplishments on your resume for your previous positions, it’s time to think about your current job. What have you accomplished lately at your current job? Are there any past accomplishments you haven’t quantified yet? Have you completed a certificate or received any awards? Whatever you achieved, chances are it can be quantified, and it definitely belongs on your resume.

3. Clean Up Your Formatting

The easiest way to spring clean your resume is to simply clean up your formatting. A resume with an updated, simple format will be easier to read and have a higher chance of getting past the ATS. A resume with an outdated format will likely get tossed by hiring managers because it gives them the impression that you’re old and/or out of touch.

Your resume should have a simple, clean format with consistent styling throughout the document. Bullet points and white space are also important. Choose a clean-line font like Arial or Calibri (11pt.), not a script font like Times New Roman. Also, make sure you have one-inch margins and no bold, italics, or underlining except in very specific places where you want to focus the hiring manager’s eyes. When in doubt, a simple resume is the most effective.

We hope these tips help you spring clean your resume so it’s ready for your next job search! If you need more help with your resume or with anything else in your job search, we’re here for you.

We’d love it if you joined our FREE community. It’s a private, online platform where workers, just like you, are coming together to learn and grow into powerful Workplace Renegades.

It’s time to find work that makes you feel happy, satisfied, and fulfilled. Join our FREE community today to finally become an empowered business-of-one!

How To Create A Resume With Impact: Duties vs. Results

March 30, 2022April 4, 2022

When preparing your resume, remember this is a document to market your experience and skills and showcase what you have to offer. Your resume is much more effective and attractive to employers when it demonstrates what you have achieved with your previous experiences and what you can potentially achieve for the new employer.

Unfortunately, a bunch of the resumes employers receive today still read like a laundry list of duties. Avoid this common mistake with the tips below to create a resume with impact.

Don’t State The Obvious

If you’re simply describing your job duties on your resume—a generic job description—there’s probably going to be little interest from employers. Although today’s applicant tracking systems (the software that reads and ranks resumes) will need this information, employers really need to know how you performed against goals or your peers.

Quantify And Qualify Accomplishments

Your accomplishments on the job are what will differentiate you from the next candidate. They’re also what will help demonstrate why you are the best candidate for the job.

For instance, if you have a career in sales, rather than state the obvious (“Contact prospective customers to introduce new product releases”) tie in the results you’ve achieved. A more effective statement would read: “Initiated contact with 20+ prospective customers on new product releases and secured 15 sales contracts, ranking as the top salesperson of the year.” This latter statement, which includes numbers that quantify your work experience, provides insight into why you’re a great candidate for a job in sales.

If you are in a position where it’s not easy to quantify accomplishments, then consider these questions:

Are you the only person doing this job?
If not, how many peers do you have, and how does your performance compare?
Are you the go-to person for anything in particular?
What are some of the things that your managers have put in your performance evaluations?

Be The Problem Solver

Job postings will include details of responsibilities, but sometimes they may also hint at situations where they seek candidates with particular experience in the area. Be the problem solver by demonstrating on your resume a similar situation that you took action on and resolved. Whether it was to help streamline order processing or enter a new international market, bullet points to convey experience on the matter and results achieved offer greater impact than detailing your general duties on the job.

Employers simply want to hire the best talent so show them what you can accomplish for them, not the general job duties of a position. Keep that in mind and you’ll create a resume with impact!

We know writing an effective resume isn’t easy, especially if you’re not excited about any of the jobs you’re applying for. If you’re feeling trapped, lost, or burned out in your career, we’re here to help.

We’d love it if you joined our FREE community. It’s a private, online platform where workers, just like you, are coming together to learn and grow into powerful Workplace Renegades.

It’s time to find work that makes you feel happy, satisfied, and fulfilled. Join our FREE community today to finally become an empowered business-of-one!

This article was originally published at an earlier date.

6 Common Resume Mistakes You Must Avoid

February 24, 2022February 25, 2022

Although a resume is the first impression job seekers get to make, it’s amazing how many people continue to gloss over errors. In today’s job market, you need to make sure your resume is going to be read rather than quickly scanned and thrown away.

You want your resume to impress the future employer reading it. So, do you know what your resume really says about you? Here are some typical resume mistakes job seekers make and how they translate to employers:

Forgetting To Proofread Your Resume

Typos, misspelled words, and bad grammar mistakes can make a hiring manager think you’re careless or won’t pay attention to details on the job. Show you are serious about the job opportunity and capable of doing the job by choosing words carefully and catching any mistakes.

Including Too Much Information

Including too much information can make employers think you aren’t able to write clearly and concisely, which has become increasingly important in today’s high-tech world. Your resume might not be read if it’s too long, either. For an effective resume, focus on white space, bullet points, and quantifying your work experience.

Your Resume Is Poorly Organized

A busy, cluttered resume may make employers think you are unorganized and scatterbrained, and that those characteristics could carry over to the job. Make sure your resume formatting is consistent throughout the document and use headings and bullet points to organize information on your resume.

You Send The Same Document For Every Job Opening

This shows you don’t care enough about the job opportunity to send a tailored/customized resume. It might also tell employers you aren’t great at adapting. Always customize your resume for each position you apply to. That way, the potential employer will see the exact skills and experience you have that are relevant to the position and realize you’re a great, qualified candidate who could help them reach their goals.

You Use An Inappropriate Email Address

This will very likely make hiring managers skip your resume altogether. It’s unprofessional. Create an email account with some variation of your name for job-seeking purposes.

You Include Incorrect Or False Information

This can make the employer think you haven’t updated your resume for the job opening—or worse, that you aren’t being honest. Lying on your resume is never a good idea. Instead, learn how to properly demonstrate your value as a business-of-one.

Need more resume tips? Here’s how to spruce up your resume in just a few minutes:

Change all responsibilities to accomplishments you had at the position. Most people who’ll read your resume don’t want to hear about the general tasks you did, but rather how you benefited the company while you were there.
Eliminate anything that doesn’t pertain to the job for which you are applying. You want to show the employer you know what they are looking for and YOU are it.
Read your resume out loud or have a friend look it over. You will catch anything that sounds awkward and your friend can probably give you some suggestions you wouldn’t have thought of otherwise.
Don’t bury important skills. If it’s important in your field to have extensive computer skills, write about that in your “Experience Summary” section (at the top) rather than burying it in a “Skills” section (at the bottom).

The lesson is to take your time to make your resume showcase the best “you.” Highlight those accomplishments. Update it when necessary. Make it concise, compelling, and error-free. Once you do this, you’ll be ready to apply for your dream job and find the career success you deserve.

If you’re feeling burned out in your career, it could be time for a change. Sign up for Work It Daily’s new FREE course “Break Through Your Burnout: How To Go From Crisis To Career Satisfaction.” It’s time to take back your happiness.

This article was originally published at an earlier date.