Whether you’ve been downsized, are looking for a career change or are just starting out, your resume speaks volumes about you. If your resume doesn’t make it past the first cut, you’re doomed; no matter how qualified you are. Below are ten common mistakes to avoid when putting your resume together. Remember, you only get one chance to make a good first impression.

1. Multiple pages ? You need to be concise. Keep it to one page and one page only. If you can’t highlight your talents on one page, you’re giving the message that you are unorganized and tend to go on and on.

2. Fancy paper ? If your skills don’t speak for themselves, then your fancy paper isn’t going to make a bit of difference. Continue reading →

Warning: Lying on your resume could cost you your job and your freedom.

Picture this. You’re sitting at your desk working away happily at a company you’ve been employed with for ten years. You’ve had several promotions and you’re now a Sr. Assistant Manager.

You’ve got your eye on a top management position, which everyone says you’re a shoe-in to get. Your future looks bright, indeed. So, when the boss calls you into the office for something extremely important, you assume it’s going to be really good news. Continue reading →

When you first get the job offer it will often be a verbal offer and is likely to be subject to taking up references and perhaps even a medical examination.

So never say you are accepting a job offer, or resign from your present job until you have received a formal offer in writing for the new position. Occasionally, after an interview, employers try to shorten their process by asking if you will accept the job there and then. It’s flattering and gratifying to know they like you enough to make an offer but be very careful or you may find yourself caught out with no job.

You should be careful in your response and if you are interested say “I would like to accept it but please confirm your offer in writing” and I will then confirm with you. Continue reading →

Cover Letters must grab the reader’s interest so that they immediately want to learn more about the writer (you).

Your cover letter is generally the first document those potential employers will read. So your job is to make sure it introduces you effectively and positively.

The 5 Best ways to make sure your CV or resume does get thrown aside:

? You don’t include a powerful cover letter

? The same cover letter was photocopied or obviously used for another job

? The cover letter doesn’t include all the information the employer specified

? The cover letter contains spelling, grammar or typo errors

? Your skills and qualifications don’t match the job description or person specification Continue reading →

Creating a strong resume is a very important part of applying for a job, either online or off line. There are many resume writing services that will help you build an impressive resume for job interviews.

You can also learn how to write a resume for free by surfing the Internet for resume writing help. Many sites will show you tips and advice on choosing a resume style that works best for you. Continue reading →

Have you ever heard of liquid air? The process of liquifying air was a major scientific achievement that took place over 100 years ago. Even after 100 years there are only a few companies that liquify air, which is probably why you’ve never heard of it before. Liquifying air is a cheap way to isolate different gasses like oxygen and nitrogen.

The task of liquefying air began in 1892, when Frenchman Georges Claude began working with acetylene. At the time, acetylene was thought to be a very promising substance as it was used in lighting fixtures, but it was very difficult to produce and transport. Georges Claude worked out a method for liquefying air in order to remove its different components and isolate the oxygen. Oxygen had nothing to do with acetylene at the time, except Claude felt that using oxygen could help reduce costs of producing the fires necessary to separate acetylene. Continue reading →

Many years ago, when I was a young job-searching greenhorn, I ventured to New York City to take a bite out of the big apple of opportunity.

When it came to finding a job in a crowded city of millions, I quickly learned that it’s much easier on one’s sanity to sign up with one of the many employment agencies which helps job seekers looking for work. Continue reading →

A trade show is a great place to network, look for a job, find a new employee or develop a partnership.

Are you in the market for a change? Maybe. Maybe not. But it’s always smart to be willing to chat.

CAVEAT ? Don’t gossip. Don’t be negative. Don’t burn bridges. Every industry is a closed loop, so what goes around comes around. You never know who knows what.

HERE’S A START – 50 QUESTIONS……. Continue reading →

So you’ve figured out, more or less what you want to do and where the opportunities are. Now; you have been called for an interview. Here are five steps for interview success for students and graduates:

1. Prepare, prepare, prepare.

Thoroughly research each employer you pursue. It is not enough just to show up for the interviews and hope for the best.

Take the time to research and understand the company and the person who is giving the interview. Students should approach their answers from the perspective of the person who is doing the hiring. What would that person be looking for if the roles were reversed? Job seekers need to plan their responses so they cover key information about what they can bring to the job, and then rehearse out loud until they feel confident. Continue reading →

There was a time when accounting was the boring college major that many people regretted signing up for. A constant barrage of numbers, statistics and spreadsheets was none too interesting.

Boy, have times changed! Thanks to recent accounting scandals by companies like Enron, there is a high demand for accountants and auditors. Continue reading →