Completing the Job Application Form: Be Prepared

Many employers require a Job Application Form to be completed prior to hiring their employees because it fills in certain gaps that the resume does not provide. In order for you to complete this form accurately and efficiently, you need to be prepared.

The Job Application Form differs from your resume in that it requires you to include much more detailed information about certain things, such as your former employer’s address and telephone number. Your resume does not provide this and employers will want this information if they want to contact your former employer(s) and/or if they do a background check.

Be prepared when you go to your next interview.

On a separate sheet of paper, list all of the specifics about each of your former employers, the schools you attended and other important details that your resume omits. If you follow the link at the bottom of this page, you will be taken to a list of information that is most often required in order to complete a job application form.

Most forms are easy to fill out, but they are time consuming and tedious. You will be asked to complete anywhere from 2-6 pages of information about your current situation as well as your history. Don’t be intimated by it, just fill each section out as completely and accurately as possible.

One of the reasons these forms are used is that the Human Resources department needs a variety of information to complete all of the necessary forms for insurance purposes, social security records, payroll data and so on. To make it easy on them, write as neatly as possible on the form and follow the instructions carefully.

Sometimes you will come across a section that does not apply to you, such as military service or volunteer work. If that is the case, write “Not Applicable” or “N/A” in the blank(s) provided. That way, it will be obvious that you didn’t skip over the section, but that it simply didn’t apply to you.

Whether you are asked to complete the employment application form before you are offered a job or afterward, be sure that the information you include on the form is directed specifically toward (tailored) to the position you are seeking. Just as the resume is aimed at a certain position, so too the application form should be similarly targeted to a specific job.

In addition to the form or forms you are required to complete, you may be requested to provide other items as well. Take your social security card, driver’s license, a list of personal and professional references, extra copies of your resume and copies of any certifications or licenses that you have with you. Better to have them and not need them than to need them and not have them.

Completing the forms that a prospective employer requires does not have to be difficult. Just spend a little time preparing for the situation prior to your arrival.

Brought to you by: Professional-Resume-Example.com

A Resume Secret You Simply Must Know

A Resume Secret You Simply Must Know

Resumes are an essential part of our work lives. We hate writing them, but we know we need them. What is so remarkable is that they are not that difficult to write. Yet, we procrastinate putting our credentials down on paper. Why? Is it perhaps because we are afraid it will be time consuming?

If you want a professional resume, you have to make the time to write it.

The resume secret you simply must know?

Use a proven guideline to lead you through the process so that you don’t waste time floundering about wondering what you should list on your resume. One of the best guidelines you can use is shown below. It will show you, step by step, how to create a professional resume.

Follow this resume guideline and make the whole process easier and less time-consuming. You know you need a resume. Do it right.

The first part of a resume is the HEADING. It tells the employer who you are and where to contact you. List your name, address, phone number(s) and email address if you want to be contacted that way. Make sure all of the information is 100% accurate.

The next section is the job objective. While some experts say this section isn’t necessary, you stand a much better chance of getting the job you are seeking if you tell the employer exactly what position interests you. Otherwise, the employer is left wondering what you might be best suited for. Sure the cover letter will mention what you are looking for, but what if the cover letter gets separated from the resume? Right, so use a resume objective and make life a little easier for everyone.

You can either put your work experience or your education in the next section. If you list your education next, be sure to include the name and location of the institution, your course of study, graduation dates (or dates of attendance) and your GPA if it’s good.

Work experience is fairly easy with one exception: the dates of employment. That is what usually drives people the craziest. In this section, write out the name of the employer, your title, the dates you were employed and your work-related responsibilites and accomplishments. Consider that anything which relates to your new job should be at the top of your list so the employer reads that first. If you write that you opened the mail when you also supervised 6 people, you have it backwards.

Activities/Honors and the like should have a section of their own and should be listed toward the bottom of the page. Again, if it fits with your job objective, list it. If it doesn’t, but it looks good, use it if you have space.

Other possible sections could include foreign languages, computer experience, volunteer work and professional affiliations. If they apply, use them.

References don’t even need to be mentioned. Everyone knows that if you are asked for references, you can provide them. Don’t waste resume space on something that adds nothing to your credentials.

So, now you have everything you need to write your resume. Ok, so you have a great guideline for writing your resume. The rest is up to you, your memory and whatever time it takes to get it all in print.

Yes, it’s a bother to have to write a resume, but you have to do it, right? Just get it done. You can do it!

Brought to you by: Professional-Resume-Example.com

A Resume Writing Sample

A Resume Writing Sample Can Make the Process Easier

How many sites have you searched through looking for a good resume writing sample to help you with your own writing process? Finding the right information at the right time is essential. The sample shown below is a template for a resume in the Chronological Format.

Chronological resumes are good to use in many circumstances. This resume format is great if you have a solid background with continual employment, longevity with an employer (or two) and/or great academic credentials. Employers often prefer this format because it appears to be less subjective (or more “factual”).

It is written in reverse chronological order—with your most recent education and experiences listed first. The focus is typically on the Work Experience section. The Chronological Resume is the most commonly used format and it also the easiest to develop.

Writing a resume does not have to be drudgery. You can learn a lot about yourself in the process.


Sample Chronological Resume

Home Address
Street
City, State ZIP
Phone Number

OBJECTIVE: State your job target in a clear and concise way, emphasizing what
you can do for the company

EDUCATION: List most recent institution first, including dates attended and
subjects studied (or degree if one was conferred). List GPA if it
it over 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.

EXPERIENCE: List most recent employer first, including job title, city and state
where you worked, dates employed, responsibilities of the position and accomplishments achieved.

SPECIAL SKILLS: Foreign languages, computer skills, relevant equipment knowledge

HONORS AND
AWARDS: Any certificates received, offices elected to, awards accepted


OTHER: Anything else that will excite the employer about meeting you

REFERENCES: Always list “Available Upon Request”


No resume format can guarantee success, but any one of the most commonly used formats, written well, could secure an interview slot. Which format you use is entirely up to you. Simply take your time to write it with these thoughts in mind:

1. Use active language that energizes the reader to want to get to know you better.
2. Ensure there are no typos or grammatical errors.
3. Only use one font
4. Keep all statements in the same verb tense (i.e. directed, formulated, enhanced).
5. Try to keep the resume to one page or two at the most.

Writing your own resume is not rocket science, but it does involve time and thought if you want to develop a marketing piece that sells your qualifications as well as possible.

Brought to you by: Professional-Resume-Example.com

Just added some video to the resume site

In an effort to provide the best information possible to my site visitors, I have now added two videos to my resume writing website. Please let me know what you think.

Resume Creation

Cover Letter Tips

I didn't create these videos, but I hope to be doing some on my own very soon.

Carla

Basic Principles of Resume Writing

Basic Principles of Resume Writing

Keep it brief!
Your resume is an overview of your qualifications - not your life story. It is a "preview of coming attractions" which creates the desire to see the rest of the show. One to two pages is the standard for a resume read by the human eye, and up to three pages for a scannable resume. If your resume is more than one page, the first page must capture the reader's attention. If it fails to do so, the remaining pages will not be read.

Focus
Don't try to be everything to everyone. Target your job search and your resume to your specific occupational goals.

Multiple Resumes?
Generally, you should concentrate first on one well-written resume that targets your immediate job search. Make sure this resume represents you well to a wide range of employers and is suitable for scanning. If you have more than one objective, additional resumes may be required. For example, if you are planning to pursue two distinct occupations such as realtor and bookkeeper, you would need two resumes. If you only use the targeted resume approach, you would also write a unique resume to each employer.

Visual Impact
A piece of sales literature has only about two seconds to attract the reader's attention. Similarly, the resume must attract the employer even before it is read. Many advertising techniques apply, including the use of white space, bullets, indentation and varied type style. Professional printing produces high quality, but can be expensive. Laser quality printing is an excellent alternative. Never handwrite your resume! Make sure there are no typographical, grammatical, or spelling errors. Ask someone to proof read your resume to help eliminate errors.

Insure Integrity
Your resume is specifically designed to paint the best picture possible of you. Place the emphasis on the positive, not the negative. It should be an honest statement of your best qualities. Your resume should hold up under scrutiny. Facts and numbers must be believable. The content of the resume should be in harmony. Dates should be consistent while experience and related activities should support your qualifications.

Scannable Resumes
Many employers and employment agencies are using resume scanning systems to screen resumes, a trend that will increase in the future. When writing any resume consider its scannability. Generally, there is little difference between a good scannable resume and one that is effective for the human eye. Since, ultimately, all resumes will be looked at by a person, your resume must work for both.

Overqualified?
If you consistently hear that you are overqualified or are concerned that you will be perceived as such, then you have not effectively targeted your resume. When writing your resume, target it to the level of employment and to the occupation or employer. If you are pursuing more than one distinct level of employment, then consider a separate resume for each. Present the information that you believe is important. You don't have to tell everything. As an example, if you have an advanced degree in a field unrelated to your goal, leave it off.

Brought to you by:
Professional Resume Example
and
Professional Job Search

A Resume Writing Sample Can Make the Process Easier

A Resume Writing Sample Can Make the Process Easier

How many sites have you searched through looking for a good resume writing sample to help you with your own writing process? Finding the right information at the right time is essential. The sample shown below is a template for a resume in the Chronological Format.

Chronological resumes are good to use in many circumstances. This resume format is great if you have a solid background with continual employment, longevity with an employer (or two) and/or great academic credentials. Employers often prefer this format because it appears to be less subjective (or more “factual”).

It is written in reverse chronological order—with your most recent education and experiences listed first. The focus is typically on the Work Experience section. The Chronological Resume is the most commonly used format and it also the easiest to develop.

Writing a resume does not have to be drudgery. You can learn a lot about yourself in the process.


Sample Chronological Resume

Home Address
Street
City, State ZIP
Phone Number

OBJECTIVE: State your job target in a clear and concise way, emphasizing what
you can do for the company

EDUCATION: List most recent institution first, including dates attended and
subjects studied (or degree if one was conferred). List GPA if it
it over 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.

EXPERIENCE: List most recent employer first, including job title, city and state
where you worked, dates employed, responsibilities of the position and accomplishments achieved.

SPECIAL SKILLS: Foreign languages, computer skills, relevant equipment knowledge

HONORS AND
AWARDS: Any certificates received, offices elected to, awards accepted


OTHER: Anything else that will excite the employer about meeting you

REFERENCES: Always list “Available Upon Request”


No resume format can guarantee success, but any one of the most commonly used formats, written well, could secure an interview slot. Which format you use is entirely up to you. Simply take your time to write it with these thoughts in mind:

1. Use active language that energizes the reader to want to get to know you better.
2. Ensure there are no typos or grammatical errors.
3. Only use one font
4. Keep all statements in the same verb tense (i.e. directed, formulated, enhanced).
5. Try to keep the resume to one page or two at the most.

Writing your own resume is not rocket science, but it does involve time and thought if you want to develop a marketing piece that sells your qualifications as well as possible.

Will a resume get you a job?

Will a Resume Get You a Job?

That question is asked over and over again in Career Placement Centers, Employment Offices and on forums on the Internet. Will a resume get you a job?

The short answer is “no”. A resume will not get you a job. What a resume will do, if it is done effectively, is pave the way for an interview. Employers use resumes to decide who they think is best suited for the job and typically weed out enough poorly written resumes to narrow the candidate pool to 5-6 good candidates. (Some companies have a higher number than that and others have a lower number. It depends on the organization and how they structure the interview process.)

If you want to be counted among those 5-6 candidates who are called in for an interview, then your resume DOES have to be outstanding.

Will a resume get you a job? Now, let’s answer that question a different way. A resume is a necessary part of getting a good job. Does that contradict the first statement? No, it doesn’t. A resume on its own can only do so much, but without it, at least with most companies, you cannot even get anyone to acknowledge you. You must have a resume in order to get your foot in the door in many companies.

Of course, not any resume will do. Some of the people that you are competing against for jobs are going to spend a lot of time and money crafting excellent resumes. Yours has to be just as good – preferably better.

You don’t need a professional resume service, either. What you need is the right information and the best guidelines to provide you with everything you need so that you can create your own top-notch resume.

It may take more time to write an excellent resume, but a poorly written resume isn’t going to do any good at all, so either write the best resume you can write or don’t bother writing one at all. It’s just that important.

Brought to you by:

Professional Resume Example.com