3 Things You Should Never Mention on Your Resume

Many job seekers write their resumes under the belief that they have to "come clean" on everything regarding their careers, from what they have achieved, to the reasons they left previous jobs, to what they want to do well into the future.

But a resume is not a tell-all autobiography of your career triumphs, tragedies, and non-essential trivia. It's a marketing document that tries to position you as a prime candidate for whatever job you're applying for. While your long-term goal is to get the job, the resume's chief goal is short term: Showcase the stuff the employer needs to convince them to call you for an interview.

That's why you should never include these three things on your resume:

Why you left a job. This doesn't help when you're trying to market yourself effectively. The objective of any marketing project is to convince someone to buy a product or service. Rather than saying something like "Position was one of 10 eliminated as part of company-wide cost-cutting measures," focus only on what the employer is looking for: your skills and experience, and how they can benefit a new employer. You can explain the rest at your interview--if they even ask.

What's in it for you...rather than what's in it for the employer. If you open your resume with a statement that says something like "Seeking a position that can utilize my skills in accounting and help position me for an executive-level job in finance," you've stated a clear career objective. There's just one problem with that: Your next employer doesn't really care about your aspirations or what you want to be doing in five years. They want someone who can do the job they have open today, and do it effectively. Start your resume instead with a summary of the qualifications that are most likely to grab their attention.

Your college GPA...if it's been more than three years since you graduated. You may have heard the expression "experience is your best teacher." Hiring managers want to see what you've done in the workplace, and that also goes for new college graduates. Even 10 years after you received your bachelor's degree, you may still be proud of that 3.7 grade-point average. But that was a decade ago. What have you done since? If you're a recent college graduate and your GPA was at least a 3.5, go ahead and include it. If it was less than 3.5 but the GPA in courses related to your major was at or above that mark, include it.

Before you send your resume, ask yourself these two questions: (1) Does this resume effectively communicate my skills and experience and how they match the job description? And (2) Does it effectively tell the employer the benefits they would get by hiring me? If you can truthfully answer "yes" to both questions, you've given yourself a strong chance at landing an interview.

---

Guest Expert:

Rick Saia is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) and Content Writer for Pongo Resume, a premier, full-service online resource for job seekers. Pongo provides all the resume templates, tools, and support needed to write professional resumes and cover letters, ace tough interviews, and secure a great job. For more information, visit http://www.pongoresume.com or call 866-486-4660.

View the Original article

Top Job Search Strategies You’ve Probably Never Tried

1. Identify Your Target Industry or Field of Interest

- Most industries have multiple subfields and further, departmental differences between job descriptions, duties and responsibilities. Make sure you are aware of the variety of positions within each industry sector. Use the Occupational Outlook Handbook (www.bls.gov/oco/) to research job titles.

- Take some time to envision yourself performing each task associated with a position – could you see yourself performing this task eight hours a day, five times a week?
A January 2010 Gallup Poll found U.S. job satisfaction at its lowest level in two decades. Make sure you are looking at all the data before you make the proverbal leap (Results of polls on job satisfaction are at odds, By Carol Morello, Wednesday, January 6, 2010)

2. Search for Jobs via Keywords

- Job search sites such as Indeed.com allow you to input keywords or phrases when searching for jobs. Expand your job search by viewing all industries that highlight a specific skill as a job requirement (i.e. typing in “analyst” pulls up jobs such as: “financial,” “systems,” “credit,” “economic,” “risk” and “military” analyst). By expanding your job search into different industries, you may find jobs requiring the same skill sets you already have while simply working with a different product.

- View a variety of job postings – even jobs where you do not meet the qualifications. Scan these job postings for keywords or “buzz words” that are vital job responsibilities. Use your collection of buzz words to refine your job search and define your ideal job.
Once you have defined your ideal job, begin incorporating the related buzz words into your resume and cover letter. Illustrate for employers your ability and interest in using necessary industry skills.

3. Research the Professional Associations and Organizations for your Field of Interest

- Professional associations are maintained by professionals in the field. These sites often serve as invaluable resources regarding industry trends and key resources, necessary accreditations or certifications, and industry publications.

- Use discussion or forum boards on these Web sites to ask questions about the field, to stay abreast of industry current events, and to weigh in on industry issues. This knowledge can certainly benefit you in job interviews and additionally can benefit you when employers search your name prior to the interview and see your passion in your field.

- Many professional association Web sites also list upcoming webinars or seminar series to attend, which is another great way to stay current in the field.
Peruse the organization’s career center too – search for research opportunities, internship and full-time positions.

4. Use Niche Job Boards

- Employers post positions on niche job boards to avoid being flooded with applications from unqualified candidates. Find these sites by searching “ job search sites” in Google (i.e. “direct marketing job search sites”).

- Print out jobs of interest, stay organized and record your completion of each stage of the application process (i.e. updated resume, sent application, scheduled interview).

- Create an Excel spreadsheet tracking your job search, including information about job posting closing date, contact information, follow-up points of contact, job description buzzwords, and company mission and goals. The key is to search smarter not harder for jobs. Updating this information throughout your search will keep you prepared as employers begin calling for interviews.
You can even create an Excel sheet of the list of niche job boards you find. Create a schedule for yourself of dates and times you check each site to help avoid searching certain sites too often.

5. Use your City’s Chamber of Commerce Web sites or LinkedIn to Directly Search for Ideal Employers

- Many job boards cost employers money, leading companies to post job openings solely on their own human resources Web site. Therefore it is crucial to identify and target specific employers and consistently check their human resources department Web site directly.

- Even when employers post positions on job boards, make sure to view the position opening as it is written on the company’s human resources page. Frequently, employers will list additional application requirements about the positions they post on their website only. By doing this, employers can easily identify which candidates have done their research on the company.

---

Guest Expert:

Sara Kohout, MS, is a Career Counselor at Towson University in Towson, MD who works with students to help them choose their major and explore related careers. She takes a student-focused, self-discovery approach to career counseling, always determined to find better, more innovative ways to help students discover and achieve their career development goals.

View the Original article