Resumes are like advertisements. As such, it’s important to decide which type of 'ad' – in this case, format – you will use before you begin the resume writing process. Depending on the type of job you are applying to, different resume formats may apply. The four standard types of resumes include 1) chronological, 2) functional, 3) combination, or 4) targeted. Below are definitions of each type and recomme...

An unspoken truth in the job search process is that candidates and hiring companies are on equal footing. I know you may feel like the hiring companies hold all the cards, but the reality is that it is exceptionally difficult for them to recruit and retain good people. Now, I will concede that “good people” is a subjective term, and that this problem of talent acquisition is often because of ridiculous arbit...

What elements make up a good resume? Try on this list: brevity, clarity, positivity, attractiveness-and truthfulness. Your resume is your calling card to hiring managers and human resource departments. Because it represents you, two things are paramount. First, make sure your resume truly represents what you have to offer. Get all the advice you can, but remember, in the end your work, qualities, and accomplishments g...

Looking for secrets of the career change job search and the career change resume? When you are contemplating a career change, you certainly need to know what job you want to do. But making a change can force you to know what you want your job to do for you. Look at yourself, your career, and your goals. Goals may change over the course of your career. You may have more of an eagerness to contribute to others. Or your pe...

“Why do I need a resume when I have a LinkedIn profile, a website, and multiple publications on my research into the moss that grows exclusively on rolling stones?” I field questions like this one All The Time. Some job seekers think that resumes are passé, outdated, outmoded, archaic, or have jumped the shark. After all, the thinking goes, there are so many easy ways to find out about a candidate’s...

Human resources and hiring managers like to see resumes where employment dates blend together and job duration reflects commitment to prior employers. Employment gaps and short-term experiences tend to be viewed as “red flags.” Questions such as “what caused this?”, “is there an issue of which we need to be aware?”, “why was there no job during this time?” become real concerns...

A question I’m frequently asked is, “What is personal branding, and why should I care?” My advice is the same regardless of career level or aspiration. Your brand is the experience that people have when they interact with you, whether that’s in person, on social media, or via your content. The number one goal of your professional life is to be the CEO of your career. To do so, you need to build a str...

You may have received training in any number of subjects, whether on-the-job training (OJT) or training through an offsite trade school, certification course, or college program. Job training usually helps you to achieve at least one of the following goals: Perform your job (for example, safely operating a forklift or using a new software) Prepare for a promotion (for example, leadership training) Improve the way...

Ninety-five percent of Fortune 500 companies use an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) or talent management system to organize and track résumés. Companies readily admit that many qualified candidates, as many as 70%, are screened out before their résumés are reviewed by a human. When you submit your résumé online, it is screened by a bot, if it can’t read the inform...

If job postings are windows into the working world, maybe somebody needs to clean the glass, because it can be awfully hard to know what you’re really seeing! That’s why the first letter in REAL stands for “Read between the lines” when you read job postings. In this post I’ll tell you how to do that, as well as how to Evaluate the fit, Apply with an advantage and Learn from the experience so...