More than 300,000 apply for fewer than 8,000 jobs
It is not unusual today to read articles like the one posted on CNN 's website "Obama transition sees eye-popping 300,000 resumes" where thousands of applicants apply for only a few jobs. The number of resumes that hiring managers are receiving are staggering. If your resume isn't one of the top 5 it's likely that you won't even be considered for the opportunity.
What can you do to optimize your chances for review? Many employers today expect applicants to apply online through their corporate website where they ask that you upload an ASCII version of your resume be uploaded into their system. At this point many employers use scanning software to scan for certain industry related keywords. The more "hits" that your resume has ... the more likely it is that your resume will be printed and reach the hands of the hiring manager.
It is true that you have only 15 to 20 seconds to capture the attention of the hiring manager. If your resume isn't formatted to quickly demonstrate the skills and experience that you have to offer the opportunity ... the job of your dreams may be lost forever. Hiring managers simply don't have the time to read resumes from top to bottom to see that you have the experience that they seek. Your resume must demonstrate at a glance that you are the ideal candidate for the postion.
Which format is best for your situation? Chronological, functional, or a combination of both? A simple chronological resume will not work for everyone. You will need to analyze your individual situation. Are you changing careers, do you have a gap in employment, or have you moved from job to job?
It is also important to include only relevant work experience for most positions. Generally employers don't care that you flipped hamburgers while you were in college when you've worked 10 years as a Sales Representative. Speaking of college, care should be taken not to disclose anything that indicates you are approaching middle age. Although age discrimination is illegal it continues to happen all the time.
A resume written by a certified professional resume writer can help you avoid many of these pitfalls and will give you the best chance for interviews in this highly competitive market. These highly trained resume writers can be found through www.parw.com www.nrwa.com www.careerdirectors.com and http://www.careermanagementalliance.com. Be wary of non-certified writers as they may not have anymore training or experience than you have yourself.
What can you do to optimize your chances for review? Many employers today expect applicants to apply online through their corporate website where they ask that you upload an ASCII version of your resume be uploaded into their system. At this point many employers use scanning software to scan for certain industry related keywords. The more "hits" that your resume has ... the more likely it is that your resume will be printed and reach the hands of the hiring manager.
It is true that you have only 15 to 20 seconds to capture the attention of the hiring manager. If your resume isn't formatted to quickly demonstrate the skills and experience that you have to offer the opportunity ... the job of your dreams may be lost forever. Hiring managers simply don't have the time to read resumes from top to bottom to see that you have the experience that they seek. Your resume must demonstrate at a glance that you are the ideal candidate for the postion.
Which format is best for your situation? Chronological, functional, or a combination of both? A simple chronological resume will not work for everyone. You will need to analyze your individual situation. Are you changing careers, do you have a gap in employment, or have you moved from job to job?
It is also important to include only relevant work experience for most positions. Generally employers don't care that you flipped hamburgers while you were in college when you've worked 10 years as a Sales Representative. Speaking of college, care should be taken not to disclose anything that indicates you are approaching middle age. Although age discrimination is illegal it continues to happen all the time.
A resume written by a certified professional resume writer can help you avoid many of these pitfalls and will give you the best chance for interviews in this highly competitive market. These highly trained resume writers can be found through www.parw.com www.nrwa.com www.careerdirectors.com and http://www.careermanagementalliance.com. Be wary of non-certified writers as they may not have anymore training or experience than you have yourself.
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