Ask Lisa; A job blog for job seekers.
How to improve your resume today!
I often get asked how to improve a resume quickly...
The number one area for improvement I see in most resumes is to make your resume accomplishment focused rather than task focussed. A typical job seeker resume contains a laundry list of job tasks. Such documents do little to differentiate you from your competition. Instead of writing about things you did, write about the accomplishments you created.
Rather than saying that you make 100 "widgets", explain that you exceeded the company’s quota for making widgets by 25% by retooling the production process and eliminating redundancies.
An accomplishment statement includes an action verb: Created, Designed, Developed,...
Accomplishment Statements can be placed under specific jobs or under skill headings, depending on your needs.
Please send your questions about resumes, and Job Seeking to jobs@bangordailynews.net
Technorati Tags: Follow-up calls
Dear Job Seeker, you bring up a very good point. I want to stress that the idea of the followup call after submitting the applicatrion/ resume is only to be sure the intended recipient recieved it, that is all that should be asked, if the HR rep talks more, great, but when making the call a good script would be:
Hello "Recruiter",
My name is _____, and I applied for the ____ position, I wanted to make this quick call to ensure that you had recieved my application/ resume.
The recruiter will then say, either, "I have not cheked them yet, yes, no, or I am not the right person for you to talk to".
In each case you have gotten some valued information.
If the recruiter says yes, thank them for their time and state "I am really looking forward to discussing this opportunity at a better time, thank you for your consideration." And end the call, without putting any kind of pressure on the recruiter.
Hope this helps, Happy Hunting!
Resume Submission Follow-Up Question
Dear Lisa,
Is it advisable for a job seeker to follow-up with a potential employer a few days after a cover letter and resume have been submitted for a position?
I can see it (a follow-up phone call) from both perspectives: 1) The employer may see the applicant as someone that is motivated and be impressed with the initiative from someone willing to step out and be recognized, or 2) The employer may feel that the applicant is too desperate or overzealous in finding a job. Might this lead to an employer feeling hassled or pressured into bringing an applicant in for an interview and develop latent prejudices against the applicant?
Given that HR Generalists are 'human', also, it is understandably unpredicable how any particular person may react. I am unsure if the follow-up call is a good idea.
Your thoughts, experiences and advice is welcome. Thank you!
Sincerely yours,
Job Searcher