You were born with a smartphone in your hand, and regardless of the nature of the job you're looking for, your tech skills hold an important place on your list of credentials. They represent not only what you can do, but also a key part of who you are, and you'd like employers to know that when it comes to your tech prowess—from warehouse management software implementation, to app development, to keeping track of a busy schedule using the calendar feature on your mobile device—you don't shy away from the new and unfamiliar.
Here at Free Resume Builder, we encourage job seekers to observe one important resume rule above all others: the best way to make your resume shine and get ahead of your competition is by placing yourself in the shoes of the hiring manager or employer who will be reviewing your credentials. Here are a few steps that can help you follow this simple guideline.
This is a complex world in which we live, and not everything is what it seems, especially when it comes to messages, advertising, and special deals we find online that may not come our way twice. Advertising formats are becoming increasingly sophisticated in the internet age, and even ad formulas that aren't sophisticated at all are still finding ways to reach us through our email and other accounts, including social media profiles.
It may sound crazy—especially after the hard work you put into your degree and the knowledge benefits that it's provided to you—but some employers do actually see a PhD as a negative on a candidate's list of credentials. There are several possible reasons for this, most of them based in nonsense stereotypes, but the hard truth is simple: misconceptions or no misconceptions, you need a job. And you need one now.
There are all kinds of reasons why you may be applying for jobs that don't represent a clear step up from your last position. For example, employees who are between jobs sometimes have to take what they can get, even if it means lowering their standards slightly. And sometimes external demands like geography place limits on the available positions an employee can pursue.
Your resume and cover letter have a distinct voice and personality, and as you complete your job application and click send, you want these two documents to represent you as a competent, qualified employee with skills that match the needs of your target position. You also want your documents to present you as a socially savvy team player who's generally a pleasure to work with. So how can you make sure you're coming off as both confident enough to be trusted and humble enough to be liked?
Some resume mistakes are worse than others, and if you're guilty of any of the five from the list below, it's time to stop the application process immediately and get these wrinkles ironed out. You may think some of these are easy rookie mistakes and not worth your notice…but don't get complacent. These blunders are far more common than you might imagine.
In a tight job market, claiming that certain fields are "competitive" may be the understatement of the century. And the closer you look, the bleaker the road ahead seems to become for new grads, especially those who are just beginning to deal with mountains of student loan debt. Sometimes the pressure to find a job becomes too much, and any imaginable method of getting off the market or ahead of your competitors starts to look like a reasonable option.
As you format your resume (with help from Free Resume Builder) and complete your final draft, it's wise to offer as much relevant detail as possible about your former positions. Make each former job title into a subheading and include brief descriptions below that heading of the responsibilities you held, your dates of employment, and your most important accomplishments and victories while on the job.
Here are a few quick answers to questions readers have submitted to Free Resume Builder during the past week.