RSS Feed for Albertajobcentre.ca - Career Advice Articles - Resume Advice http://www.albertajobcentre.ca/re/career-advice/resume-advice en-ca Copyright (c)2012 BC Jobs Online Inc. All Rights Reserved support@bcjobs.ca Did you know that most job applicants don’t understand the purpose of a resume? The purpose of your resume is not to get you a job, it is to get you an interview. You can sabotage your very first impression by including too much in your resume. So what should you cut out? The answer may surprise you. http://www.albertajobcentre.ca/re/career-advice/career-advice-articles/resume-advice/is-your-perfect-resume-actually-hurting-you http://www.albertajobcentre.ca/re/career-advice/career-advice-articles/resume-advice/is-your-perfect-resume-actually-hurting-you Wed, 08 Feb 2012 12:04:29 PDT Your resume is the primary branding tool to introduce and position yourself to the professional world. It is, quite simply, the most financially important document you will ever own: when your resume works you work, when it doesn't you don't. Properly executed, a carefully branded resume insures that prospective employers and colleagues see you, as you want to be seen. Short-change the effort you put into your resume and you cheat employment and future success. http://www.albertajobcentre.ca/re/career-advice/career-advice-articles/resume-advice/how-to-customize-your-primary-professional-branding-tool-your-resume http://www.albertajobcentre.ca/re/career-advice/career-advice-articles/resume-advice/how-to-customize-your-primary-professional-branding-tool-your-resume Wed, 23 Nov 2011 10:07:22 PDT Your resume is an awesome tool. In your job search, you use your resume for just about everything. Between blindly submitting it to various companies and passing it along to a friend of a friend, your resume goes through a lot. Your paper resume works hard already, but what about your online resume? You pass it out to potential employers, but how else do you use it? Simply having your resume online does wonders for your SEO (search engine optimization) by linking professional keywords to your overall brand. Check out these four nifty online places your resume can live: http://www.albertajobcentre.ca/re/career-advice/career-advice-articles/resume-advice/-4-nifty-online-places-your-resume-can-live http://www.albertajobcentre.ca/re/career-advice/career-advice-articles/resume-advice/-4-nifty-online-places-your-resume-can-live Wed, 16 Nov 2011 09:21:19 PDT Most job-seekers like to list skills on their resume. In fact, most experts suggest listing skills on your resume. The problem with simply including a skill set is that the reader has no reason to believe you. You could say that you're an expert in hiring, training, sales management, payroll control, visual presentation, and loss prevention, but that doesn't mean the reader will trust you just because you say it. That's why it's important to back up those statements with proof in the way of accomplishments. http://www.albertajobcentre.ca/re/career-advice/career-advice-articles/resume-advice/how-to-build-trust-with-your-resume http://www.albertajobcentre.ca/re/career-advice/career-advice-articles/resume-advice/how-to-build-trust-with-your-resume Wed, 02 Nov 2011 13:01:27 PDT Does your resume or online profile tell the world all about you? Does it sell your skills? Are you using key words that help it stand out in a search? Have you defined your brand? http://www.albertajobcentre.ca/re/career-advice/career-advice-articles/resume-advice/does-your-resume-sell-your-key-skills http://www.albertajobcentre.ca/re/career-advice/career-advice-articles/resume-advice/does-your-resume-sell-your-key-skills Thu, 20 Oct 2011 09:20:07 PDT "The limits of my language mean the limits of my world."- Philosopher, Ludwig Wittgenstein So very true. Isn't it remarkable how so few words capture so much meaning? As is my way, I can absolutely relate this quote to career management. How (the question begs to be asked) is the language of your resume working for you? If you've saturated your resume with "provided, assisted, or even managed," might I suggest that you have some work to do? http://www.albertajobcentre.ca/re/career-advice/career-advice-articles/resume-advice/resume-language http://www.albertajobcentre.ca/re/career-advice/career-advice-articles/resume-advice/resume-language Wed, 21 Sep 2011 08:28:19 PDT With increasing regularity, job seekers draft a résumé with an opening “objective statement” section without realizing this can be a turn-off to employers. Objective statements, by definition, are a declaration of what you want out of your next position. Think, “A stable position with room for advancement”. However, employers rarely hire an applicant based on what the applicant wants, but rather based on what the applicant offers. http://www.albertajobcentre.ca/re/career-advice/career-advice-articles/resume-advice/time-to-replace-your-objective-statement http://www.albertajobcentre.ca/re/career-advice/career-advice-articles/resume-advice/time-to-replace-your-objective-statement Wed, 31 Aug 2011 10:07:50 PDT When was the last time you heard someone whine “I’ve sent out 200 resumes and I haven’t gotten one call.” Probably yesterday just before that person started sending out the next 200. It’s odd how people resist analyzing an unproductive job search with hard questions. If you are sending out resumes by the dozens and checking your phone to see if the battery has died, try applying a few questions. Science would be nowhere if scientists insisted on redoing the same experiment 200 times, wishing for a particular result. http://www.albertajobcentre.ca/re/career-advice/career-advice-articles/resume-advice/apply-the-scientific-method-to-your-job-search http://www.albertajobcentre.ca/re/career-advice/career-advice-articles/resume-advice/apply-the-scientific-method-to-your-job-search Wed, 24 Aug 2011 10:03:53 PDT Who: While portfolios have traditionally been used by creative professionals -- artists, photographers, marketers, advertisers and designers -- the rise of web communication and social media has brought online portfolios into the mainstream. For those looking for their first break or simply aiming to stand out from the crowd, upping the ante on your job search toolbox may make the difference. http://www.albertajobcentre.ca/re/career-advice/career-advice-articles/resume-advice/the-5-w-s-of-online-portfolios--and-how-to-do-it http://www.albertajobcentre.ca/re/career-advice/career-advice-articles/resume-advice/the-5-w-s-of-online-portfolios--and-how-to-do-it Wed, 27 Jul 2011 10:11:39 PDT Temporary jobs have become very common in today's world. Some people work temp jobs in between permanent ones, while others choose temp work for the long-term because they enjoy the flexibility and diversity it can offer. Either way, there are two important reasons to showcase these positions effectively on your resume - you want potential employers to see how valuable that experience was, but you don't want to be seen as a job-hopper. http://www.albertajobcentre.ca/re/career-advice/career-advice-articles/resume-advice/how-to-show-temp-work-on-a-resume http://www.albertajobcentre.ca/re/career-advice/career-advice-articles/resume-advice/how-to-show-temp-work-on-a-resume Wed, 20 Jul 2011 09:37:18 PDT References remain a vital component of every well-planned and carefully considered job search. What is your approach to finding and sharing reference names? Is there more you could do? Do you need to choose new references? Is it even necessary to worry about it? Lots to consider in this often neglected topic. http://www.albertajobcentre.ca/re/career-advice/career-advice-articles/resume-advice/a-word-about-references http://www.albertajobcentre.ca/re/career-advice/career-advice-articles/resume-advice/a-word-about-references Wed, 22 Jun 2011 10:55:06 PDT Resume writing has finally reached the point where almost all professional resume writers, and many job-seekers, realize the futility of old-fashioned objective statements like the following: OBJECTIVE: To secure a full-time position with opportunities for advancement in a nonprofit organization that prides itself on excellent public service. Telling the reader what you want instead of what you have to offer was a failed formula from the start. Now common practice is to use a headline at the top of your resume followed by a profile paragraph. http://www.albertajobcentre.ca/re/career-advice/career-advice-articles/resume-advice/resume-profile/summary/objective-what-to-include http://www.albertajobcentre.ca/re/career-advice/career-advice-articles/resume-advice/resume-profile/summary/objective-what-to-include Wed, 16 Feb 2011 10:48:34 PDT So you want your resume to look pretty. Naturally. But is your pretty format preventing your resume from functioning as well as it should? Did you know that many corporate and staffing agency ATS's (Applicant Tracking Systems) strip your resume of formatting when the information is imported into your profile? Or that when you forward your resume to a recruiter, they often have to copy and paste it into a new format that follows their protocol before they forward it on to the hiring manager? http://www.albertajobcentre.ca/re/career-advice/career-advice-articles/resume-advice/the-best-format-for-your-resume-hint-it-s-not-pdf http://www.albertajobcentre.ca/re/career-advice/career-advice-articles/resume-advice/the-best-format-for-your-resume-hint-it-s-not-pdf Wed, 19 Jan 2011 08:24:36 PDT Past employment experience is usually the most significant section of a resume, and therefore it's important not to leave the reader guessing. Most job-seekers like to "zoom in" by describing duties and responsibilities, highlighting achievements, and listing awards and formal recognition. There is nothing wrong with that (achievements are particularly essential on a resume). However, it's equally important to "zoom out" and look at the big picture of each position. http://www.albertajobcentre.ca/re/career-advice/career-advice-articles/resume-advice/don-t-forget-the-big-picture http://www.albertajobcentre.ca/re/career-advice/career-advice-articles/resume-advice/don-t-forget-the-big-picture Thu, 06 Jan 2011 07:56:15 PDT If you are applying for an advertised job, what important qualifications are they looking for? If you meet those requirements, those will be your key selling features. However, if you are targeting employers that haven't advertised any positions, then you have to decide what you think will be most important to them. http://www.albertajobcentre.ca/re/career-advice/career-advice-articles/resume-advice/know-your-key-selling-features http://www.albertajobcentre.ca/re/career-advice/career-advice-articles/resume-advice/know-your-key-selling-features Wed, 01 Dec 2010 07:51:28 PDT I've been following a recent discussion on an email list about the need for cover letters, and it's caused me to think about the evolution of cover letters and resumes. Here is what I see. Most resumes are at least 2 pages long (although I believe 95% of them should be shorter than they are), and so we are accustomed to seeing a summary section in the top half of the first page. This profile usually highlights the candidate's key qualifications for the job they are targeting. http://www.albertajobcentre.ca/re/career-advice/career-advice-articles/resume-advice/cover-letters-are-they-necessary http://www.albertajobcentre.ca/re/career-advice/career-advice-articles/resume-advice/cover-letters-are-they-necessary Wed, 03 Nov 2010 09:25:08 PDT Grandma knew the importance of brand management. In Grandma’s days, children were not allowed out of the house with holes in their underwear for fear of the proverbial ambulance ride. Housewives cleaned thoroughly under their beds and chesterfields lest dust bunnies be discovered and whispered about. http://www.albertajobcentre.ca/re/career-advice/career-advice-articles/resume-advice/how-to-ruin-your-brand-at-the-press-of-a-send-button http://www.albertajobcentre.ca/re/career-advice/career-advice-articles/resume-advice/how-to-ruin-your-brand-at-the-press-of-a-send-button Wed, 27 Oct 2010 09:45:37 PDT Looking to emphasize your employers, job titles, loyalty and success in climbing the corporate ladder? A chronological resume may be just what you need. http://www.albertajobcentre.ca/re/Career-advice/career-advice/resume-advice/chronologicalresumes http://www.albertajobcentre.ca/re/Career-advice/career-advice/resume-advice/chronologicalresumes Wed, 03 Dec 2008 11:46:27 PDT If you've got a long work history, special skills or a strong track record of accomplishments, consider a combination resume. It allows you to combine the perks of chronological and functional resumes. http://www.albertajobcentre.ca/content/index.cfm?objectid=D4FC752B-1372-5900-AD64613B1879C436 http://www.albertajobcentre.ca/content/index.cfm?objectid=D4FC752B-1372-5900-AD64613B1879C436 Wed, 03 Dec 2008 11:52:53 PDT Need to break away from the traditional resume format? Check out the functional resume -- a popular way to cluster experience and skills. http://www.albertajobcentre.ca/content/index.cfm?objectid=D0EB4BBB-1372-5900-AD1CE9D469649E90 http://www.albertajobcentre.ca/content/index.cfm?objectid=D0EB4BBB-1372-5900-AD1CE9D469649E90 Wed, 03 Dec 2008 11:54:20 PDT There is a lot of information and advice available about how to effectively write a resume. It can be difficult to sort through what is someone’s opinion and what is useful information to help you make the most of your job applications. http://www.albertajobcentre.ca/re/career-advice/career-advice-articles/resume-advice/job-search-resume-tips--tips-for-targeting-your-resume-in-your-job-search http://www.albertajobcentre.ca/re/career-advice/career-advice-articles/resume-advice/job-search-resume-tips--tips-for-targeting-your-resume-in-your-job-search Wed, 03 Dec 2008 11:56:30 PDT To capture the attention of hiring managers, candidates often use a career profile on their resumes. Also known as a professional profile or simply a “profile”, a career profile summarizes your work, education and other relevant experiences. http://www.albertajobcentre.ca/re/career-centre/career-tools/resume-advice/writing-a-resume-career-profile http://www.albertajobcentre.ca/re/career-centre/career-tools/resume-advice/writing-a-resume-career-profile Wed, 03 Dec 2008 11:57:32 PDT You've probably heard a million times that employers only spend 30 seconds looking at your resume. Help get their attention by writing a targeted http://www.albertajobcentre.ca/re/career-centre/career-tools/resume-advice/writing-your-resume-objective http://www.albertajobcentre.ca/re/career-centre/career-tools/resume-advice/writing-your-resume-objective Wed, 03 Dec 2008 11:59:10 PDT Job seekers often wonder if they should include hobbies and interests on their resumes. Some people say these details help break the ice at an interview and make the job seeker stand out. http://www.albertajobcentre.ca/re/career-centre/career-tools/resume-advice/should-you-put-hobbies-on-your-resume http://www.albertajobcentre.ca/re/career-centre/career-tools/resume-advice/should-you-put-hobbies-on-your-resume Wed, 03 Dec 2008 12:00:33 PDT If you’ve got a gap in your employment history, you’re not alone. It’s common for job seekers to leave the workforce because of a disability, illness, baby, education, or even a challenging job search. http://www.albertajobcentre.ca/re/career-centre/career-tools/resume-advice/explaining-a-gap-in-your-employment-history http://www.albertajobcentre.ca/re/career-centre/career-tools/resume-advice/explaining-a-gap-in-your-employment-history Wed, 03 Dec 2008 12:03:14 PDT With employers spending more time reviewing information online, job seekers need to understand how to market their resumes. Resumes that have relevant keywords, are current, and visible in high traffic areas, will attract hiring managers. http://www.albertajobcentre.ca/re/career-centre/career-tools/resume-advice/online-resumes http://www.albertajobcentre.ca/re/career-centre/career-tools/resume-advice/online-resumes Wed, 03 Dec 2008 12:04:56 PDT The goal of any good resume is to get an interview. Think of your resume as a marketing document, which, if written well, can get you further ahead than the many candidates applying for the position. http://www.albertajobcentre.ca/re/career-centre/career-tools/resume-advice/winning-resumes http://www.albertajobcentre.ca/re/career-centre/career-tools/resume-advice/winning-resumes Wed, 03 Dec 2008 12:07:49 PDT Everyone knows the importance of a well-crafted resume, but how many job seekers fully appreciate the power of a strong cover letter? http://www.albertajobcentre.ca/re/career-centre/career-tools/resume-advice/writing-a-compelling-cover-letter http://www.albertajobcentre.ca/re/career-centre/career-tools/resume-advice/writing-a-compelling-cover-letter Wed, 03 Dec 2008 12:59:42 PDT Business correspondence serves a variety of purposes throughout the career cycle, but most of all it reflects professional courtesy during the job search. http://www.albertajobcentre.ca/re/career-centre/career-advice/resume-advice/business-correspondence http://www.albertajobcentre.ca/re/career-centre/career-advice/resume-advice/business-correspondence Wed, 03 Dec 2008 13:06:50 PDT Employers want to hire top-performing employees. To help them find you, use numbers in your resume. http://www.albertajobcentre.ca/re/career-centre/career-tools/resume-advice/using-numbers-in-your-resume http://www.albertajobcentre.ca/re/career-centre/career-tools/resume-advice/using-numbers-in-your-resume Wed, 03 Dec 2008 13:07:42 PDT We all try to put the best gloss on our skills and background but taking that too far can have serious results. There have been numerous court cases in Canada addressing a candidate’s pre-hiring misrepresentations. http://www.albertajobcentre.ca/re/career-centre/career-tools/resume-advice/exaggerating-qualifications http://www.albertajobcentre.ca/re/career-centre/career-tools/resume-advice/exaggerating-qualifications Wed, 03 Dec 2008 13:09:28 PDT When you attend a business meeting, you probably don’t use the wrong fork or slurp wine from fine glassware. Just as it’s important to have good table manners at a luncheon, it’s essential that you mind your e-mail manners in the workplace. http://www.albertajobcentre.ca/content/index.cfm?objectid=780F4F3B-1372-5900-AD97EB00FD0002E7 http://www.albertajobcentre.ca/content/index.cfm?objectid=780F4F3B-1372-5900-AD97EB00FD0002E7 Mon, 18 Dec 2006 11:11:05 PDT Jobseekers increasingly refer employers to personal websites and email addresses. Done right, personal websites provide a great opportunity to showcase your professional personality, work experience, work samples, testimonials and portfolio pieces. http://www.albertajobcentre.ca/re/career-centre/career-advice/resume-advice/personal-websites-and-email-addresses-for-jobseekers http://www.albertajobcentre.ca/re/career-centre/career-advice/resume-advice/personal-websites-and-email-addresses-for-jobseekers Wed, 03 Dec 2008 13:10:31 PDT Learning how to read a job ad can make your job search much easier. First, you’ll be in a better position to target your resume and cover letter. And, second, you’ll be able to determine which jobs suit you. http://www.albertajobcentre.ca/re/career-advice/career-advice/resume-advice/how-to-read-a-job-ad http://www.albertajobcentre.ca/re/career-advice/career-advice/resume-advice/how-to-read-a-job-ad Wed, 03 Dec 2008 13:11:23 PDT Apply for jobs online? Seems like that’s the usual way to find work these days. If you want to apply for jobs online, it’s important that you follow directions set out by the potential employer. http://www.albertajobcentre.ca/re/career-advice/career-advice/resume-advice/apply-for-jobs-online http://www.albertajobcentre.ca/re/career-advice/career-advice/resume-advice/apply-for-jobs-online Wed, 03 Dec 2008 13:12:06 PDT Reasons to update your resume could fill a novel the size of War and Peace. Whether you’re actively looking for a new position or firmly planted in the greatest job of your life, you stand to gain from updating your online resume. http://www.albertajobcentre.ca/re/career-advice/career-advice-articles/resume-advice/reasons-to-update-your-online-resume http://www.albertajobcentre.ca/re/career-advice/career-advice-articles/resume-advice/reasons-to-update-your-online-resume Wed, 03 Dec 2008 13:13:05 PDT Cover letters for resumes can help job seekers boost their prospects. I have seen numerous articles in The Recruit urging job seekers to include cover letters when they apply for jobs. This raises the question: what is the purpose of a cover letter? http://www.albertajobcentre.ca/re/career-advice/career-advice-articles/resume-advice/cover-letters-for-resumes-making-it-easy http://www.albertajobcentre.ca/re/career-advice/career-advice-articles/resume-advice/cover-letters-for-resumes-making-it-easy Tue, 18 Nov 2008 13:56:17 PDT We've seen every resume error in the book. These blunders make the difference between getting an interview, and wondering why no one is calling you. The key is proofread, proofread, proofread. Follow our simple steps, and you’ll be one step closer to scoring that dream job! http://www.albertajobcentre.ca/re/career-advice/career-advice-articles/resume-advice/resume-basics-a-refresher http://www.albertajobcentre.ca/re/career-advice/career-advice-articles/resume-advice/resume-basics-a-refresher Mon, 19 Jan 2009 12:43:27 PDT Job seekers continually under estimate the importance of including a cover letter with their resume when applying to jobs. The cover letter is a critical component of your job search materials, as it serves as an effective advertisement for your resume. In writing your cover letter you can be creative and direct in showing a potential employer, how your unique skills abilities meets their requirements without the limitations of the resume. http://www.albertajobcentre.ca/re/career-advice/career-advice-articles/resume-advice/writing-an-effective-cover-letter http://www.albertajobcentre.ca/re/career-advice/career-advice-articles/resume-advice/writing-an-effective-cover-letter Wed, 27 Oct 2010 09:46:28 PDT Job seekers take note: One false stroke at the keyboard could send your resume into the "circular file." Fifty-one per cent of executives interviewed said just one or two typos in a resume would remove applicants from consideration for a job; 23 per cent said it takes only one typo to rule candidates out. http://www.albertajobcentre.ca/re/career-advice/career-advice-articles/resume-advice/have-a-keen-eye-for-derail http://www.albertajobcentre.ca/re/career-advice/career-advice-articles/resume-advice/have-a-keen-eye-for-derail Wed, 27 Oct 2010 09:47:48 PDT Writing a cover letter can sometimes be a bit confusing. You simply don't know what information to add, what to exclude and how exactly to tell your story. For many, this leads to some cover letter mistakes. http://www.albertajobcentre.ca/re/career-advice/career-advice-articles/resume-advice/cover-letter-no-no-s http://www.albertajobcentre.ca/re/career-advice/career-advice-articles/resume-advice/cover-letter-no-no-s Fri, 25 Sep 2009 08:12:03 PDT Does your résumé have the punch it needs to help you stand out? Is your cover letter well-written and convincing? Are you conveying professionalism in the e-mails you write to recruiters or hiring managers? http://www.albertajobcentre.ca/re/career-advice/career-advice-articles/resume-advice/-30-power-words-to-power-up-your-r-sum-and-boost-your-job-search http://www.albertajobcentre.ca/re/career-advice/career-advice-articles/resume-advice/-30-power-words-to-power-up-your-r-sum-and-boost-your-job-search Wed, 27 Oct 2010 09:48:40 PDT What do you think: faced with a choice, will an employer choose to hire a generalist or an expert? Interesting question, and I know that people are confused by which strategy is better, and which one works. I know because I see hundreds of resumes in my business and at job fairs, and most are very general. Let’s analyze the choices. http://www.albertajobcentre.ca/re/career-advice/career-advice-articles/resume-advice/are-you-a-generic-or-brand-name http://www.albertajobcentre.ca/re/career-advice/career-advice-articles/resume-advice/are-you-a-generic-or-brand-name Tue, 27 Apr 2010 11:01:01 PDT You might have a great, top-notch résumé on file to give to potential employers, but that’s not all you need in your job hunting portfolio. You’ve still got more work to do! Although employers want to see background information, skills, and awards on your résumé, they also want to see a list of references. A reference list is important because employers want to know which individuals they can contact to verify your information and get another perspective of who you are. http://www.albertajobcentre.ca/re/career-advice/career-advice-articles/resume-advice/5-steps-to-a-brilliant-reference-list http://www.albertajobcentre.ca/re/career-advice/career-advice-articles/resume-advice/5-steps-to-a-brilliant-reference-list Wed, 27 Oct 2010 10:09:41 PDT In this recovering economy, the job competition can be cutthroat, and job seekers are suiting up and bringing their A game to the fight. Employers are getting hundreds and hundreds of applications and résumés for every job posting. And, since most employers spend an average of only 20 to 30 seconds reviewing each résumé, it’s important to make sure yours doesn’t fall through the ropes. http://www.albertajobcentre.ca/re/career-advice/career-advice-articles/resume-advice/-five-common-words-you-don-t-want-on-your-r-sum http://www.albertajobcentre.ca/re/career-advice/career-advice-articles/resume-advice/-five-common-words-you-don-t-want-on-your-r-sum Wed, 27 Oct 2010 10:10:27 PDT A strong resume and interview may place job seekers in the running for a position, but a new survey from OfficeTeam finds the results of a reference check can be the real deal maker -- or breaker. http://www.albertajobcentre.ca/re/career-advice/career-advice-articles/resume-advice/for-your-reference http://www.albertajobcentre.ca/re/career-advice/career-advice-articles/resume-advice/for-your-reference Wed, 27 Oct 2010 10:13:58 PDT