Deciding on a resume format is the first major decision to be made when creating your resume. The overall look of your resume depends on the resume format, font and outline you choose.

The two main types of format in use are the chronological and functional formats.

When to Use the Chronological Resume Format

A Chronological resume is the easiest to create and it is also the most widely used format.

Chronological resume format allows you to list your job experiences starting with the most recent and moving back in time.

This allows employers to see your progression in the career field If you are staying in your career field, this format will allow employers to see if you are qualified for the job you are applying for. It may not be beneficial for people changing career fields. Continue reading →

There are few things more frustrating for a headhunter than asking a person basic questions that revolve around what you as a job hunter are looking for in a job and being given uncertain answers. I’m not talking about salary; that’s a question where a wise person states a target objective and is flexible enough to let the market decide their value. Continue reading →

Options for Resume Layouts

There are many options of available to today’s job seeker. With a quick change of graphical elements such as fonts and style, the feel of a resume can change from traditional and conservative to creative and modern.

In addition, today’s job seeker has the added benefit of being able to mail and hand deliver resumes in the old fashioned way as well as surf the web with their resume.

A job seeker who wishes to take advantage of the many different resume layouts available, should be aware of when and how to use the various options, in order to get the most impact from their resume. Continue reading →

Of course interviews are mainly about you answering the questions they put to you, but at the end of your allotted interview time, the questions that really matter most are yours. You should hope to hear the interviewer ask you:

“Have you any questions?” Continue reading →

Goal Setting & Research

You can only set informed career goals if you acquire plenty of information about the career choices open to you. This will require research which can be conducted online or through a local library. You can also visit professional career planning offices to find out about the services they offer. Continue reading →

Aptitude tests measure your skills, abilities, values, interests and personality in order to help you determine which careers you might be best suited for and eliminate those that you are not.

Aptitude tests are some of the most important tools to anyone considering a career change.

Job satisfaction for individuals depends on several different factors. An increasing number of people now do not cite money as the most important factor in picking a career. Other factors of importance are if they like their workplace, if they enjoy the work they do, and if their work receives acknowledgment and acclaim Continue reading →

Just like the late, great Rodney Dangerfield, the “humble” cover letter gets no respect.

Job-seekers spend so much time and energy on their resumes they’ve got nothing left to offer their poor, neglected cover letters.

Big, BIG mistake!

It is the well-written cover letter not the resume that can single-handedly land you more job interviews. The cover letter is your one chance to really “market” yourself to an employer using proven marketing strategies rarely found in the typical cover letter.

Conversely, there’s only so much you can do with the traditional CV or resume. I believe the carefully crafted cover letter is more important to your job search success than any other written document, including the resume. Continue reading →

Tough words… but I truly believe that folks who make career changes should be applauded for their courage. The courage to live closer to their authentic selves. The courage to put aside all the negativity we hear about the economy. The courage to face their own fears.

Most people will change careers 5-10 times in their lifetimes. Not just jobs ? but whole new careers. At the same time, we’re not taught how to go about this in the best way ?how to evaluate what careers fit us best ? how to choose work that makes our heart sing! Continue reading →

Many people, under financial or other pressures to find work quickly, feel they can’t afford to take the time to get organized. On the other hand, conducting your job search in an organized manner will reduce the amount of time you spend looking for information, following inappropriate leads, or waiting for your dream job to fall into your lap. It generally takes at least a month to find an entry-level job, and as much as nine months for one requiring a high level of skill and experience. Getting organized before you begin your job search can ultimately save you a lot of time and frustration. Continue reading →

The question confronting most people who want to find a job is “what’s a good paying job with growth potential?”

At one time, the Conestoga wagon building trade boomed as people joined the wagon trains heading west.

Today, the boom is long gone and those wanting to find a job with a future will most likely wish to stay away from such a field. Continue reading →