Monthly Archives: September 2010

Writing A CEO Resume: Listing Experience

Posted on by
Reply

When it comes to writing a CEO resume, the most important thing of all is to remember that your chances of becoming employed rest entirely on the presentation of your abilities and qualifications through your CEO resume.

What to Watch Out For When Writing a CEO Resume

One disadvantage to writing a CEO resume over any other type of resume is that employers will automatically assume that anybody applying for the position of CEO will already be familiar with the style and format of a relevant resume. The truth, however, is that many people who apply for CEO positions may have absolutely no idea how to even start writing a CEO resume when they begin the applications process.

Another point to remember is that potential employers will be judging your employability as a CEO not only based on the content of your CEO resume but most likely also from the way in which you choose to present your resume. The expectation is that a candidate for the position of CEO will know exactly how to write an excellent resume because he or she will be expected in turn to recognize outstanding resumes when the company later conducts hiring exercises to fill job vacancies.

Experience Is The Best Teacher

While the phrase itself may be somewhat hackneyed and clichéd, it still holds true, even today. Experience teaches and good workers learn what it has to teach. Employers are all too aware of the educational value of experience, and many employers place greater emphasis on a potential employee’s past experience than on any other aspect of their interview or resume.

Be Explicit When Writing your CEO Resume

If you are able to demonstrate the full extent of your experience to your potential employer, you will stand a much greater chance of getting hired. This means being as explicit as possible when you put your relevant experience down on your CEO resume. When it comes to filling the position of CEO, most potential employers are only all too happy to spend more time reading and digesting what each candidate for the job has to say through their CEO resume.

The more experience you have, the more likely it is that you will be adaptable and versatile and able to deal with trials and tribulation with equal aplomb. Of course, you should also be discerning with your use of experience in your CEO resume. You should definitely include any positive experiences but you should be careful about including negative experiences. While it may seem as if you should simply include a full record of all your experiences, the truth is that your CEO resume should be a highly tailored document for a very specific audience.

Your negative experiences should therefore be left out, unless they truly help to highlight some facet of your personality that would otherwise have gone unnoticed. A good example would be an experience where you made a mistake but rallied yourself and your subordinates to work hard and fight the odds in order to complete the project that you were working on. This shows perseverance and a willingness to admit to your mistakes, both of which are traits that are highly sought after by employers looking to fill the position of CEO in their company.

Check Out CareerRush’s Free CEO Resume Example

CareerRush Resume Examples:

Human Resources Resume Key Values

Posted on by
Reply

If you are at a loss as to how to start writing your human resources resume, help is at hand. There are any number of resources freely available on the internet to assist anyone having trouble with writing a human resources resume. In fact, with the sheer volume of material available online, the problem lies not finding material but in able to sift through them all and make the right choices.

The very first thing you should do when you start writing is understand the human resources resume key values that a potential employer is looking for. Most employers are all looking for the same general characteristics and personality traits in a potential employee, and you need to understand what these things are so that you can convince employers that you are exactly what they are looking for.

Getting help with your Human Resources Resume

When you are looking for help to get started with your resume, the first resource that you should make use of is the vast treasure trove of resume samples available online. You should pay particular attention to the resume samples available on job seeking help sites such as the CareerRush website. Here you will find several human resources resume samples that will aid you greatly in understanding what a successful human resources resume should look like. You can then model your own human resources resume after the basic template of the human resources resumes that you have found and studied.

Details Matter in your Human Resources Resume

Some of the most overlooked facets of the typical human resources resume are also among the most important parts of the entire resume. Format, for example, is something that many first-time human resources resume writers take for granted. This is one area where simply appropriating the formats used in the resume samples that you have no doubt found online is not suitable. The format of your human resources resume should be matched directly to the type of position that you are applying for.

If you are applying for the position of human resources director, for example, then the format of your human resources resume should follow a skills-based layout. This type of format will make it easier for a potential employer to determine exactly what skills you have and how you will fit into the overall structure of the company.

If you are applying for a position lower down on the corporate ladder, and you have previously worked your way up the corporate ladder in another firm, then the format for your human resources resume should be chronological in nature, thus allowing your potential employer to get a feel for your achievements and the rate of your progress while in the employ of your previous firm.

Finally, you should not forget to include a short summary of your greatest achievements and professional experiences. This is one section that any potential employer is sure to pay a lot of attention to, as it has a direct impact on the decision of many interviewers on whether they wish to give a person the chance to prove themselves or not.

Have You Tried the Free CareerRush Resume Builder?

Components of an Information Technology Cover Letter

Posted on by
Reply

Have you recently begun your search for a job in the information technology industry only to find that you haven’t the faintest idea how to write an information technology cover letter in order to secure that job? Every year, thousands of fresh job applicants start searching enthusiastically for jobs, only to hit a snag very early on when they realize that they are completely unfamiliar with the process of writing an adequate information technology cover letter.

What is a Cover Letter?

A good place to start is with the question, ‘What is a cover letter?’ A cover letter acts as the cover page for a resume, providing the introduction to the person sending in the resume and a quick summary of important information that the person reading the resume might need to know in order to make a hiring decision. The importance of the cover letter cannot be overstated;  it is not unheard of for people to be hired based solely on the strength of their cover letter, which sufficiently impressed their interviewer that they did not even have to go through an interview before landing the job.

In the light of the slow recovery from the economic downturn and unemployment rates still high, the importance of a powerful information technology cover letter cannot be underestimated. Information technology is a particularly competitive industry, with many talented individuals competing for the most coveted jobs in the industry. If you are applying for the more popular jobs in the information technology sector, then you definitely require a cover letter that will impress your interviewer.

Breakdown of an Information Technology Cover Letter

After entering the necessary information such as your address and the address of the company you are applying to, the first paragraph of your information technology cover letter should address issues such as the exact position that you are applying for in the company and the reasons why you are applying for that particular position. As this is the very first paragraph of your information technology cover letter, it is important that you take a lot of care when writing this section. Take the time to craft an opening paragraph that will perk the interest of anyone reading your resume. A great way to get your interviewer interested in the rest of your resume is to include some of your relevant qualifications in this section.

Often, a job advertisement will say something about the position being advertised and what that position in that particular company will entail. The second paragraph of your cover letter is therefore a good place to deal with this and to relate your qualifications and your experiences directly to what your potential employer is looking for. When it comes to this section, there is nothing better than using some concrete examples taken from your previous work experience or even from your life in general.

The final paragraph should include the manner in which you might be contacted and of course, some mention of how you look forward to meeting the person reading your resume at your interview.

Check Out the CareerRush Information Technology Cover Letter Example

Job Interview Tips: Why Do You Want to Work Here?

Posted on by
Reply

 “Why do you want to work here?” can be one of the most difficult to answer questions you are likely to face in an interview. In most cases, an  interviewer will ask you this question simply to see how prepared you are for the interview or how you react under direct pressure. Creating an effective, appropriate answer is one way to ensure that your interview goes well. This is where reading a few relevant job interview tips can hold you in good stead.

Why Do You Want to Work Here?

It’s a tough question to answer, isn’t it? You don’t want to sound too gushy with statements such as “Your company is just the greatest!” and you certainly don’t want to say “Because I can’t find anything else!” Most job interview tips will tell you to do a bit of research beforehand. Find out some of the company’s products and services. See what their mission statement is. Try to draft a response that is line with the company’s vision. However, take care not to make your answer sound too rehearsed.

You need to keep this answer positive in every way. Speak about how you feel the company will offer you a great chance to use your skills and experience. If the company offers great benefits, mention it. Don’t mention salary unless the topic is brought up by the interviewer. You may also speak about your past employer, but don’t say anything negative. Simply state that you had risen as far as you could go in the company and you wanted a chance to grow more professionally.

If the company offers educational reimbursement, you can mention this as well. However, you don’t want to appear as if it’s the only reason you want to come on board. You never want to give the interviewer the impression that you are only using their company as a stepping stone. While most interviewers know that ninety percent of the people they hire will likely not be there in ten years, they don’t want to waste their time training someone who will leave in a year or two.

It is best to write out your answer and review it right before you interview. One of the great job interview tips involves a mock interview. A friend asks you a variety of questions that you may hear in an interview, giving you a chance to develop a great answer. Most interviewers know that a job applicant will be nervous. It’s to be expected. However, the key is to control that nervousness so it doesn’t give off the wrong impression.

In Closing

Make use of the job interview tips online. Some will provide information on answering the above and other questions, while others are designed to help with your wardrobe and appearance. There is a lot to consider when you go for an interview if you want to present yourself in a positive light. Many people just “wing it” when it comes to an interview and that can often backfire. Every human resources manager has a story or two about an interviewee that simply was too much. Don’t be one of those stories!

Check Out More CareerRush Job interview Videos…

Customer Service Resume Example Writing Tips

Posted on by
Reply

There are many opportunities for customer service representatives. Virtually every industry today utilizes employees in these positions but that doesn’t mean a well-written, powerful resume isn’t in order. With all of the customer service openings today, there are just as many people looking for work, too. You must have a cover letter and a resume that stands out from the rest of the crowd in order to get that call for an interview. If you are not very sure what constitutes a good resume for this position, take a look at a customer service resume example or two over the internet.

Writing Tips for a Customer Service Resume

Some of the best writing tips include those specifically dedicated to formatting. Now is not the time to utilize colored, strange fonts, or any paper but a high quality resume paper. Traditional formatting is required. Standing out because your resume is formatted differently is not the way you want to be remembered. Standing out because your experience, education, and qualifications speak for yourself is what you want to be remembered for.

A customer service resume example should emphasize any experience you have in the field, but it should also list specific responsibilities. If you have trained new employees, include it under your employment history. If you can quantify one of the responsibilities, that’s even better. Numbers and percentages draw the attention of the reader. For example, “Implemented new training program for new employees” is not as effective as “Spearheaded the implementation of a new training program, which has reduced turnover by 30%.”

Whether you have worked in a call center or in a clothing store, you will have had training about how to handle your responsibilities as customer service representative. Include this training, even if it wasn’t formally obtained through a college. This is especially helpful for those who have not completed a degree program through a college.

What Not to Include

You’ll notice when you look at a customer service resume example online, there are several things that are not included. You don’t have to include references, as employers know to ask for them if they need them. You don’t need a resume that is so full of information that it takes up more than one page. You don’t need to shrink the text down to a minute size just so it will fit, either. Keep any abbreviations limited to those that any layperson would know, as the person reviewing the resume may not understand them.

What You Must Do

You should proofread your work carefully. Grammatical, spelling, and punctuation errors tend to jump right off the paper. However, if you’ve been working on your resume for hours, those errors might not be so apparent. Have someone else look over your resume before you send it off.

You should always include a cover letter with your resume. This is often the first impression that a potential employer will get of you and it needs to be positive. Highlight your customer service experience and training, as well as any special certifications. Bulleted lists work great for any quantifying information you can add, as most people’s eyes are drawn to bulleted lists first. Always include your contact information, unless otherwise specified.

Use a customer service resume example to get ideas for your resume content, but don’t copy it directly. Many employers will check to see if any information has been copied. These are the best tips for landing your dream customer service job.

Sales Manager Resume Example Writing Tips

Posted on by
Reply

Irrespective of whether you are selling cars, clothing, or insurance; sales is a difficult industry. It takes a special type of person to connect with a potential customer. You have to be able to gain their trust, believe in the product you are selling and above all else, close the deal when the customer is on the fence. Good sales people are hard to find and a good sales manager can be even more difficult.

Writing a Sales Manager Resume

Sales Manage resume examples are available on the internet and can be a great source of inspiration. A compelling resume is the best indication your sales experience. If you can sell an employer on your abilities, then it’s very likely you can sell the product they offer. Managing a sales team is a little different, though. Just because you have outstanding sales skills doesn’t mean you have the right managerial skills. Look for a sales manager resume example that shows an increasing level of responsibility, as well as the ability to manage your own team.

If you have experience in management, it should be included in your qualification summary at the top of the resume. You should highlight your sales experience, managerial experience, and your training. This is the best way to grasp the attention of an employer and may be the reason you get a call for an interview.

As you will see in any sales manager resume example, the qualification summary should be a sentence or two. Make it concise, to the point, and effective. When you skip down to the next part of the resume, it should be because the qualification summary was interesting.

Your experience should include the most important responsibilities you have had. It might include the training of new employees, outstanding sales percentages, or a reduction in return rates. Quantify this section of your resume as much as possible, as the reader’s eyes will be drawn to numbers and percentages. However, don’t make up the numbers, as your interviewer may check!

In terms of education, list your college, including your major, as well as any training, specialized conferences, or other ways you have increased your overall knowledge of sales or management. List your degrees and certifications, as well as any current school you are attending.

Pulling It All Together

Even if you’ve made use of a sales manager resume example, don’t overlook the importance of proofreading your final draft. Sending off a resume with an error in it is one of the fastest ways to get overlooked for a job. If you won’t take the time check over your own resume, it stands to reason that you won’t take a proactive approach towards your work at their company. If need be, have someone else proofread it for you, as it’s often hard to pick up on your own mistakes after you’ve looked at some for so long.

In Closing

Your management experience is only one part of the requirements for a sales manager position. If you are just lost when writing your resume, you should look for a sales manager resume example for ideas. However, make sure you change the language and the structure. You need your own work to shine though, not someone else’s.

Job Interview Tips: Tell Me about Yourself

Posted on by
Reply

A job interview can sometimes be the most intimidating of all experiences. When you feel the open position is perfect for you and you want it badly, it can make you even more jittery. However, there are a few job interview tips that can make it a little easier for you. Most interviewers ask about the same types of questions. If you prepare your answers to these questions ahead of time, you should feel much more comfortable during the interview.

One of the most common questions that you will be asked in an interview is “Would you please tell me about yourself?” This does not mean that the person you are interviewing with wants to hear all about your first car or your childhood, however exciting it may have been. It means that they would like to hear about why you are in this particular industry, a little about your education and some of your experience. This is an important question and it pays to read a few good job interview tips so that you get the answer right.

The Wrong Answer

You do not want to tell an interviewer that you ran away from home at the age of 15, spent time in rehab or have a criminal record. Keep the conversation positive. You should avoid talking about any position you were fired from, a bad performance evaluation, or how much you hated the last company you worked for. One of the most notable job interview tips that you should keep in mind is that it is never okay to bash your previous employer, no matter how much you disliked working there.

The Right Answer

Start with explaining why you are in this industry. For example, “I chose the field of teaching because I wanted to help our young people become productive adults.” That’s a good lead in to speaking of your education, such as where you went to school and what your major was. You can speak a little of previous employment. An example might be, “I went to work for my local school district because it was close to home. After four years, I returned to college to get my Master’s Degree.” This answer shows that you took the initiative to further your education, while getting your degree into the conversation as well.

Many job interview tips say to avoid speaking of your family. However, it could be an asset, if presented correctly. Most job interview tips are trying to avoid the appearance of excessive commitments elsewhere. This might be a family of ten children, a volunteer job that takes away your weekends, or other similar type of commitment. You will know within the first few minutes of the interview whether to add this in or leave it out. If you are in doubt, leave it out.

In Closing

It is important to project a positive image during an interview. The above question is designed to give the interviewer a picture of who you are. You want to keep your answer positive and related in some way to the company’s open position. Interviewing for any job is difficult; however, the right preparation ahead of time, which would include reading a few job interview tips can take care of most of the butterflies during your interview.

Watch Our Job Interview Videos!

Free Resume Templates: Law Enforcement Resume Example

Posted on by
Reply

There will always be a need for qualified law enforcement professionals and you know it; however, this doesn’t mean you can afford to turn in a resume that is not top-notch. It can be difficult to create a resume that truly lists your qualifications, experience and training in the most effective manner. This is because many of the qualifications that make a good officer aren’t easily put into words. They must be compassionate, fearless, and honest. If you are looking for the best way to create your resume so it is noticed, you should look for a law enforcement resume example to get some ideas.

Qualification Summary

This is an important part of your resume and as you will see in any law enforcement resume example, it should be included right under your name and your contact information. It should include your goals, experience, and qualifications. This portion of your resume should only be a couple of sentences but those sentences should be powerful enough that the reader continues on with your resume.

Training and Education

Most law enforcement professionals have an extensive amount of training. They are required to continue their training and education and must meet the strict requirement of their state in terms of this training. Most states require that officers attend a specific number of training hours each year. If you have been in the law enforcement field for years, it could be difficult to list all that training. If this is your situation, you will need to list only the most important, such as those that relate directly to the position you’re applying for.

Past Employers

When you list your past employers, make sure you include the type of department. This might include a sheriff’s or police department, a prison or jail, or even a security department at a hospital psychiatric ward. You should list the dates you were employed and any special responsibilities you had. This could include training new employees, teaching defense tactics, or being responsible for inmate transfers. If you don’t know which format to use, look at a law enforcement resume example on the internet.

What Not to Do

There are a few things that you don’t want to do with your resume. While you can certainly find a law enforcement resume sample on the internet, you don’t want to copy it. Most law enforcement departments do such extensive backgrounds that even a little white fib will be found. It is not worth it. In addition, you will probably have to submit to a polygraph or CVA test, anyway.

You should never send a resume out without sending a cover letter, either. This is your chance to introduce yourself to the department and make a positive impression. The cover letter is often more important than resume itself! Many people forget to send a thank you letter after an interview, too. This one piece of paper helps keep your name and interview in their mind.

In Closing

A law enforcement resume sample can help you develop an exceptional resume. It is important to keep this resume current, as many of the departments are so short handed, they hire with little advance notice. List your qualifications, experience, and training and proofread your resume several times to avoid sending one with glaring errors.

Check Out CareerRush’s Free Resume Examples

Free Resume Templates: Nursing Resume Example

Posted on by
Reply

In the last decade, there has been a tremendous increase in the need for experienced qualified nurses. It is expected that by 2020, there will be a shortage of over 250,000 nurses just across the United States. If you have the experience and requisite training, you could find employment just about anywhere. However, you will need to create a well-written and well-presented resume.

Finding a Nursing Resume Example Online

When you start looking for a nursing resume example online, the most important thing is to find one that relates to your level of expertise. If you are an RN, then you will want a nursing resume example for RNs. The same if you are an LPN. If you have your BSN or Master’s, then you will want to look for a nursing resume example that is created to highlight that level of education.

One of the most important parts of your resume will be your qualification summary. This should be listed right after your name and contact info and it should highlight your goals, qualifications, and area of specialty. You want this section to grab the attention of the reader so they will continue through the employment and education sections. Of course, the final hope is that you will receive a call for an interview.

The Employment Section

While a nursing resume example will provide you with the correct format, it is often impossible for it to feature more detailed information as this will vary from one person to another. You will want to list the name and type of facility where you previously worked, as well as the dates of employment. List any special responsibilities you might have had, such as training new employees or overseeing a quality assurance program. It is essential that you don’t use generic phrases, such as “performed all aspect of nursing care.” Be detailed and specific.

The Education Section

Not only do you want to list your college education, you will also want to list all of your certifications and additional training. This might include IV Therapy, ALS, or Acute Care training. If you have experience and training on specific equipment, such as in a surgical ward, make sure this is listed as well. This is the one area of your resume that you want to emphasize, since nursing is a continually changing field.

Leave Off the Other Stuff

If you are going to list references, provide them on a separate sheet of paper and no more than three references should be given. Don’t choose your best friend from high school, either, unless they have first hand knowledge of your work ethic and experience. Choose business references that can provide a great deal of knowledge about how you do your job and of course, it helps if it’s all positive! Simply adding, “references available upon request” is futile and unnecessary.

In Closing

A well-written resume is your key to finding the dream job you want in the nursing industry. Make sure you find an appropriate nursing resume example and don’t forget to proofread your resume for any errors before turning it in. Just because there are jobs everywhere for nurses, it does not mean that your resume isn’t important. Put your best foot forward with a great cover letter and resume. Good luck in your job-hunting endeavor.

Cover Letter Examples: What to Say When You Are Unemployed

Posted on by
Reply

If you are currently unemployed and looking for a job, it is a good idea to let prospective employers know about this situation. However, other than that information, a cover letter for someone who is unemployed is the same as it is for an employed job seeker. While it is always difficult to figure out how to word a cover letter, you can find cover letter examples online to help you. Here are some tips on what to say about your current employment status so that a potential employer knows that you are continuing your education or that the loss of your job was not due to something you did or didn’t do.

If You Are Continuing Your Education

This is one of the most common reasons why someone is unemployed – at least it is the most popular one given on a resume and in an interview. If you are only taking one class at the local community college on underwater basket weaving, you may have a hard time pulling it off. However, if you have left your job because you wanted to return to school, it is the best reason you can give. It shows initiative on your part and most employers will respect that.

If You Were Laid Off

In today’s economic situation, many people are victims of corporate downsizing. It has flooded the job hunting market with more people than ever before and many are actually over-qualified for the positions they are applying for. If you lost your job due to a lay off situation, explain this in your cover letter very briefly. It will let potential employers know that you are actively searching for work and that is shows perseverance. 

If You Were Fired

If you were fired, you should not address your unemployed status in anything but a positive light. You might say something like, “I am ready to return to the workforce and I look forward to speaking with you about your current opening.” In most cases, the employer will give you a chance to explain your current status during the interview.

Creating the Best Cover Letter

The great part about the internet is that it is full of information about resumes and cover letter examples and it is not difficult to find one that addresses your current situation. However, you will need to change the wording or you will be submitting a cover letter that many employers have seen before. Unfortunately, some people simply put in their information on the cover letter examples, without changing anything. This is certainly not advised.

Include pertinent information about your education and experience, as well as a statement or two about why you would be a good choice for the open position. Make the wording powerful and positive, as you want to increase your chances of getting a call for an interview. When you close your letter, do so on a positive note, such as “I look forward to meeting with you to discuss this current opening in your company.”

Your cover letter is just as important as your resume, so make sure there are no grammatical or spelling errors. If in doubt, look up cover letter  examples online that are relevant to your situation.