Resumes

Welcome to eResumes.com! On this site you'll find all you need to know about writing and
distributing resumes and cover letters that will knock the socks off the recruiters, HR people and
computers (yes, computers!) that read your resume. We'll tell you something about job searches
and job interviews, a lot about tools and resources for resume-writing, and we'll give you criteria
for selecting someone to help you write a great resume.
You'll read about e-Portfolios, free sample resumes and professional resume examples,
resume cover letters, templates and formats; resume posting and resume blasting -- all the
resume help and tips you will need to design, write, post and distribute professional or
professional-quality resumes and cover letters. All of this is designed for one purpose -- to help
you develop a resume that will make you stand out from that crowd of other job seekers.
What's This About eResumes?
So why are we called eResumes.com? ("e," by
the way, stands for "electronic" in Internet
lingo). Because (almost) all resumes are now e-
resumes. Employers expect to get your resume
via email, or from an electronic bulletin board,
or through use of an electronic form (where you
paste your resume after answering endless
questions and hope that the resume's
formatting will still be there). Or they might
even go to your web page to see your e-
portfolio that contains video clips and photos of
your most recent work-related project.

Get a FREE One-On-One Telephone Resume Consultation - CLICK HERE NOW!
The growth of online resume services has brought a dramatic change in the way resumes are
constructed. Electronic and software scanning have now become widely used methods of
screening resumes, eliminating the need for humans to do the job in many cases. Resumes must
now emphasize keywords and industry-specific terms and acronyms. So no matter how you
write your resume or for what job niche, chances are it will be e-scanned and e-distributed!
There are some tricks to the "e" part. And you will read here about those tricks, including how to
format your e-resume for electronic transfer, how to make the most of keywords, what e-writing
should look like, and how to create your own e-portfolio. But most of the time you will just read
about resumes without the "e" -- researching, designing, formatting, writing, and distributing
them. You can always add the "e,"and you'll be correct.
So, let's get started. On this page you'll find a general discussion of writing a resume. But look
around and click on the links to get just what you need, whether it's a resume for a specific job,
sample cover letters, professional resume-writing companies, or a tutorial on resume writing.
It's all here!
Writing a Great Resume
Argh! It's time to write or (rewrite) your resume. What may feel like the world's most tedious
task--puffing yourself up and bragging about your accomplishments on paper--doesn't have to be
so painful. Just remember one thing: Your resume should stand out from the crowd.
Employers, especially those who have posted openings on large Web sites, receive hundreds of
resumes for a single position. You must show how qualified you are by describing your
qualifications for the desired job in a concise, clear, and attention-getting manner.
Heres a terrific article by career advisor William S. Frank to get you started. Most resumes
focus on responsibilities. This article helps you feature accomplishments and transferable
competencies to get your resume to the top of the stack. http://www.careerlab.com/resume.htm
(These resume articles were first published in Colorado Business magazine, the Denver Business Journal, the
Denver Rocky Mountain News, The Denver Post, and the journal of the Colorado Human Resource Association.)
Here are a few ways to get your resume to the top of the stack.
Organization
It's all about function versus chronology. In functional resumes, you group your skills into
categories and then briefly list your past job titles at the bottom. This format is usually reserved
for career changers who want to de-emphasize huge gaps of unemployment or a lack of direct
experience. Recent college grads and others on a consistent career path usually opt for the
chronological format. These resumes list your jobs (and duties for each) in reverse chronological
order. If you're a regular college grad, we suggest the chronological format. Most employers
expect to see that format, and it best highlights your education and relevant work experience.
Emphasize Accomplishments
When organizing a chronological resume, you should still include sections on your
accomplishments, education, and skills to communicate what you have accomplished.
Functional resumes should focus on accomplishments as well. HR representatives and employers
take less than a minute to scan your resume, so showcase and organize items into several concise
and relevant segments. If you just graduated from college and have not yet been employed,
place your "Education" section first, directly below the letterhead. In addition to the basics--
school name, degree, major, and graduation date--you can include relevant coursework that
applies to a desired position, academic honors or awards, and your GPA. If you skated through
college with anything over a 3.0, feel free to put it on your resume. Other categories might
include "Relevant Work Experience," "Volunteer Experience," "Computer Skills,"
"Publications," "Activities and Honors," "Language Skills," and so on.
Appearance
Along with effective organization, appearance can make or break your resume. When creating a
super resume, keep these points in mind:
Fonts. Whether you e-mail, fax, or mail your resume to prospective employers, you
should try to keep your font plain and easy to read. And select a reasonable size--
anywhere between 9 and 12 points should be acceptable. We suggest using a sans serif
font like Arial or Verdana, not Times New Roman. These will come out much clearer in
faxes.
Formatting. Just because you have Microsoft Word and all of its formatting capabilities,
your resume doesn't have to look like a Caribbean vacation brochure. Myriad fonts,
colors, and graphic embellishments don't really help, so use minimal and purposeful
formatting. Simple bullets will best separate your duties and skills; use bolding and italics
sparingly. Formatting should highlight your accomplishments, not draw attention away
from them. Less, in this case, is definitely more.
Paper. Even if you don't snail-mail your resume to employers, you should have hard
copies on hand to bring to interviews. These copies should be on tasteful resume-quality
paper. White, off-white, cream, and gray are the easiest to read. Just like your socks, your
cover letters, mailing envelopes, and resumes should all match.
Content
Now that you know how to organize your resume and what it should look like, you need to know
what to put in it. Click on action verbs to see a list.
Action words. When describing your prior job experience and duties, use active
language. Instead of starting your sentence with a noun, start with an active, descriptive,
impressive verb. For example: "Customer Service Representative. Assisted customers
with product selection, trained and supervised 15 new employees, organized special
promotional events." Don't think of this as a term paper--action verbs and flowery
language required.
Numbers. That's right, we said numbers. Always include numbers, percentages, and
dollar amounts in your job descriptions to back up your achievements. How many people
did you supervise? How much money did you raise? How many wild bears did you feed
during your stint at the zoo? How much did party favor sales increase under your
direction? This approach immediately highlights the kind of impact you've made
Length. Keep it to one page. No one wants to scan through two or more pages of your
long-winded accomplishments and experience. If it doesn't all fit--which it won't, unless
you're a recent college grad with no experience--cut it down to the most relevant and
impressive items. You should tailor your resume to match the job description, so be sure
to cut and paste accordingly.
And if your skills match what an employer is looking for, you'll be snatched up for an interview.
From there, it's up to you: Show them you're as good as that pretty piece of paper says you are.
Entry Level Resume
So, you are or soon will be a new college graduate looking for that first full-time job. Yes, you
need a resume! Its the best way to market yourself to prospective employers even though you
may have little or no job experience.
How do you create your first resume?
There are two main approaches. The approach
you take will depend on your college major,
your part-time work experience while in high
school and college and on the competencies
youve developed.
Approach #1College Major Leads to A
Specific Job Area
Was your major in an area that is easily
transferable to the job market?
Did you major in education?
Computers? Marketing? Finance?
These and similar majors lead to somewhat easily definable jobs and a clear career path:
Educationan elementary school teaching job.
Computersa programming or systems analyst job
Marketingan account manager job at a marketing firm or a corporate communications
job.
Financea job with a bank or in the financial department of a corporation.
Why is this important? Because:
You can state a specific objective for your job search.
You have a good idea of which employers will be interested in your resume.
Click here to see a recent grads resume. A new window will open, Just click on the X to return
to this page
Note that this recent grad had part-time jobs that fit in with her goal in graphic design. The job
with UCSD was volunteer, not paid, but it counts toward her work experience. Note also how
she highlights her Achievements firstthis is what employers want to see, but as a recent
graduate you might also start with Education.
Particularly because she is in a creative field, Jane Jobseeker may also want to create an
ePortfolio. Using an ePortfolio, she can show examples of the work that she did as an intern. If
her material is good, this would be a great way to impress possible employers.
Approach #2--Major Does Not Lead to A Specific Job Area
Were you an English major? Psychology? Sociology? You may have an excellent liberal arts
education but no specific career path.
Thats OK!
What you do have are transferable competencies that will work in a variety of jobs and
industries. You just need to get your foot in the door, and a good resume can help you do that.
The functional resume format, which focuses attention on skills and achievements,
rather than a chronological listing of jobs ideal for recent grads.
Your goal is to market yourself based on these competencies and on your achievements
so far, both educational and in part-time jobs, either paid or volunteer.
But first, dream a little. You may have little or no idea about the kind of job you want, but try
picturing yourself in some jobs you might enjoy.
How are these jobs similar? Are they outside or inside? Working with people or with
technology? Travel and flexible hours or 9:00 to 5:00? Use this information to narrow down the
entry-level jobs that are out there.
Did you know that over 30% of Americans change careersnot jobs, careersmore
than three times in their lifetime? Looked at that way, you may not need to agonize too
long over your first job.
Rather than it being the perfect fit for you for the rest of your life, think about how it
might help you develop some expertise or give you additional experience that will either
lead to a better resume, a decision on what to study in graduate school, or new skills
leading to a more suitable job.
Click here to see the resume of a recent college grad who needs to rely on transferable skills
rather than on directly related experience.
Last Tip
You may also want to see the job skills assessment on this site to help you decide whether you
have the skills needed for a particular job or industry. That will help you narrow down the places
you will submit your resume.
Cover Letter Tips
A cover letter is essentially a letter of introduction that you include with your job
application to grab the employer's attention and summarize - at a very high level -- what's
in your resume. It is in the cover letter that you explain who you are and why you are
applying for the specific job. Understand that your resume is a "fact-sheet," while the cover
letter is your "sales pitch" to the employer. Particular aspects of your resume need to be
emphasized, expanding on your stronger points and using as many keywords as are
relevant to the requirements of the particular position. In short, your cover letter should be
unique and job-specific. Many eresumes.com clients have found the following two resume cover
letter services valuable:
Also remember never to use sexist salutations like "Gentlemen" or "Sir" when answering a
blind ad-the person reading your cover letter might be a woman. Do use action verbs.
Don't send a cover letter that contains any misspellings, incorrect grammar or punctuation -
get someone else to proofread it. Before you submit your cover letter, double-check to see
that it is signed, preferably in blue ink -- blue shows that it is the original, not just one of a
mass of copies you have sent to a large number of employers. Consult additional pages on
this web site for more cover letter information: Resume Cover Letters and More on
Cover Letters.

Cover Letter Tips
TIP 1: Keep it brief
Keep your cover letter brief and to the
point. Writing more than one page is
usually unnecessary. As for cover letters
that you plan to email, writing three short
paragraphs is quite sufficient. It's important
that the whole cover letter fits on the
computer screen without scrolling. Make
every word count. Remember Mark Twain's
insightful comment about writing: "I'm
sorry this letter is so long. I didn't have the
time to make it short."
TIP 2: Avoid Generic Layouts
Make your cover letter stand out from the
hundreds of others an employer may be
receiving. Some people tend to use generic
cover letters that they get from the internet
and books. Employers are quick to
recognize trite layouts and might not even
read them. It's important that you keep
yours unique and job-specific.
TIP 3: Content - Important Key Points
Describe how your qualifications fit the skills needed for the job. Give specific examples
of how your past experience qualifies you for the job you're seeking. Add any other
relevant skills, qualities, achievements, and experiences that make you the best candidate
for the job.
TIP 4: Make it Simple
Some job-seekers tend to use complicated language and vocabulary to make a good
impression on the employer. This is a mistake and instead gives a bad impression of your
writing skills. Try to use simple and "lean" language, which will have a greater impact on
the reader. For example, break words down into their simpler form: "use" instead of
"utilize." Remove any prepositional phrases you can and replace them with adjectives.
Instead of "jobs of great importance," say "important jobs." Your goal is to make the letter
as short as possible and to make every word count.
TIP 5: Avoid Negativity
Try to avoid negative aspects of your previous job, such as why you left, and self-justifying
statements like, "Why there are gaps in my employment dates" It would be better to
counter these negative points in person during the interview.
TIP 6: Stress Your Qualifications and Achievements
Be specific when describing your professional and academic qualifications. Also note that,
as with your resume, you want to emphasize accomplishments and performance rather than
job duties. Use keywords to do this.
If you do not have a lot of solid experience in the field, emphasize your education and other
experiences that make you a good candidate. Focusing on key skills that can easily transfer
from your previous work experience to the job at hand can really help in this situation. You
may want to consult Job Skills on this site to learn more about these transferable
competencies.
TIP 7: Avoid Clichs
Using clichs such as "As you can see on my resume enclosed herewith" and other
overused phrases might only irritate the employer instead of impressing him/her. They are
also a waste of space when you are trying to make every word count.
TIP 8: Avoid Salary History
Try not to mention your salary history in the cover letter. But if the job ad specifically says
that you must state your salary history, give an acceptable range, stating that your salary
requirements are flexible based on the detailed requirements of the position applied
for. Never include an unsolicited salary request.
TIP 9: Avoid the Three Most Common Mistakes:
These are the three most common cover letter mistakes, as listed by the experts.
Not addressing the letter to a named individual. If no one is named, then say "Dear
Director of Human Resources," or even "Dear (Name of Company)."
Failing to be specific about job skills.
Using a generic cover letter designed for any job or even any job in a particular
industry. The cover letter needs to be job-specific.
TIP 10: Follow-up
One key to improving your chances of getting the job is follow-up. You should make one
or two additional attempts to get an interview, sending an email, voice mail or letter
emphasizing how interested you are in the job. You might also bring an article of interest to
the employer's attention, showing that you are on top of industry news. Be persistent but
not pushy when doing job follow-up.



Job Interview Fun

Just in case you thought you did poorly in a job interview, read these anecdotes from executives
who actually encountered these situations during an interview:


"Without saying a word, candidate stood up and walked out during the middle of the interview."

"... pulled out a Polaroid camera and snapped a flash picture of me. Said he collected photos of
everyone who interviewed him."

"An applicant came in wearing only one shoe. She explained that the other shoe was stolen off
her foot in the bus."

"She asked me if I had any children. When I said, Yes, she stated that there was no way I could
do a good job of being both a boss and a mother."
Resume Examples
Resume examples for every job niche are available below to help you write a resume in the
proper resume format. Use these formats only as a guideline. What will really get an
employer's attention is a resume that is custom-tailored to the particular job being advertised.
In fact, one successful job candidate did her resume in a table as follows, using the qualifications
mentioned in the job ad as the column on the left and her relevant experience on the right. This
works very well when you have all the necessary qualifications and then some, usually when you
are applying for a job in an industry where you have a lot of experience.
Professional, Managerial & Executive Openings!
You Want: I have:
5 or more years' experience working
in the food industry
7 years' experience in the food
industry, working for Company A and
Company B.
A focus on marketing specialty food
items
Created two specialty food campaigns
for Employer B, each one coming in
15% over budgeted expectations.
A direct marketing background Focus was on direct marketing for
both Employers A and B; Hold a
Direct Marketing Certificate from the
DMA.
A degree in marketing or
organizational development
BA in marketing from the University
of North Carolina
Click on the table below for resume examples in a wide variety of industries. Again, these are
just examples. Use your own experience and creativity to write the resume that's best for you.
Actor Resume
Accounting Resumes
Banking Resumes
Building Trades Resumes
Chef Resumes
Chemist Resumes
Dental Resumes
Elementary Teaching
Resumes
Engineering Resumes
Executive Resumes
Hospitality Resumes
Human Resources
Insurance Resumes
IT Resumes
Law Enforcement
Resumes
Legal Resumes
Legal Secretary Resumes
Manufacturing Engineer
Resumes
Marketing Resumes
Medical Resumes
Medical Secretary
Resumes
Medical Technician
Resumes
Mental Health Resumes
Network Administrator
Resumes
Nursing Resumes
Nurse Practitioner
Resumes
Nutritionist Resumes
Pharmacist Resumes
Physician Resumes
Programmer Resumes
Quality Control Resumes
Radiology Resumes
Real Estate Resumes
Retail Resumes
Sales Resumes
School Administrator
Resumes
Secondary Teacher
Resumes
Secretarial Resumes
Security Resumes
Social Services Resumes
Teacher Resumes
Here's an article to help you decide whether to use a chronological or functional format for your
resume.
Chronological vs. Functional: Which Resume is For You?

by Laura Edwards, ExecSearches Resume Reviewer
The purpose of a resume is to land an interview. Nothing more, nothing less. It need not exclaim
to tell a potential employer why they must hire you this instant, but rather, get your foot in the
door to tell that story yourself.

Resume formats vary in all shapes and sizes. The most common formats - outside of the
academic resume - are chronological, functional and what I like to call the combination platter.
Determining which one is right for you is as easy as deciding where you have been and where
you wish to go next.
First Things First
The most common format is the chronological resume. It presents your work history in reverse
chronological order, starting with your current position and working its way back to the job you
landed with your first interview suit.

Chronological resumes are most appropriate for candidates with stable, solid career progression
through one or, at most, two fields. If you started off your career as a circus performer, this is
probably not the format for you.
This format highlights growth and maturity throughout an organization or career. It is the format
employers see most often and provides an easy-to-follow structure for interviews. On its face it
looks like the simplest to prepare, but like all resumes, it's a toughie. It can also be poison to
candidates crossing into new fields, leaping sectors or returning to the workforce after an
extended leave.
Putting Your Best Foot Forward
Functional resumes allow candidates to flaunt the skills of their choice and the experiences of
which they are the proudest. This format gives candidates the luxury of combining a lifelong
dedication to community service into their for-profit achievements when switching career tracks.
And, as an added bonus, they work well for candidates who want the world to forget about their
brief professional dalliance with interpretive dance.

This resume format focuses attention on skills and achievements, rather than place of
employment, which make it ideal for mid-career changers or recent grads.

But lest you think this is the perfect format for you, beware. Many employers are made
immediately suspicious by these resumes since they are also often used to hide spotty
employment records. Others just don't want to do the work necessary to put together a complete
picture of you.
The Combination Platter
Candidates who want the advantages provided by both the chronological and the functional
resumes - much like restaurant patrons who don't know what to order - opt for the combination
platter. But, much like ordering the combination platter in a restaurant, most recruiters feel they
have gotten more than they asked for and end up with indigestion.

Use this format at your own risk. While some find it to be the perfect marriage of form and
function, some employers get turned off by having to dig for information. These longer resumes
tend to be repetitious and confusing and should only be tried at home with a strong editing hand
nearby.
When deciding which format to use, ask yourself these questions:
Are you looking to change careers, focuses, or industries?
Have you switched jobs too often?
Have you not switched jobs often enough?
Is your resume opening enough interview doors?
Are you a first time job seeker?
Are you seeking a promotion within your organization or a more senior position within
your field at another?
Are you just returning to the workplace from maternity, family or medical leave?
Are you relocating?
Have you just finished a graduate degree?
Resident Headhunters are available to assist you in writing a new resume or reformatting an old
one. For more information, click he

A Step-by-Step Self Marketing Plan

While this is geared specifically to Transportation Industry people, the same principles of job-
search
apply to all industries. Click the Red Links to access the detailed article for a particular
topic.

To access hundreds of links to potential employers, please see the site we have created for this
purpose: http://freightcustoms.com

To access the list of our published articles on Job Search techniques and some excellent other
sites we have found: http://kevinbuckleycpc.com
To market yourself effectively, you must have a systematic plan which makes best use of all of the
resources available to you. It is a question of focused networking, zeroing in on those people who would
be involved in the hiring process at your level of responsibility.

The key to making a success of your job search is taking a proactive approach to the follow up. If you just
send out x number of resumes or register with a few recruiters and expect that this will be sufficient, you
may miss out on some worthwhile opportunities. You need to think of yourself as a salesman for the
product that is you - your experience, your skills, your ability to get things done. Through networking
and seeking the opinions of people active in your field, you will learn about career opportunities
that aren't advertised.

If you are a newcomer, it can be difficult when coming from a culture with different values to adapt to the
realities of the marketplace. It can seem demeaning to some people to have to go out and "sell"
themselves. Ultimately, it is the most successful approach to getting a good job. If you wait for the call of
the recruiter, or employer or counselor, you may miss the opportunity to connect. Self-reliance is
fundamental and a positive attitude will usually be reciprocated. Remember that when you are marketing
yourself, you are asking for the contact's time and attention. They may already be swamped with their
own work and you may represent a distraction from that. Accordingly, it is vital that if you are going to
make direct contact with potential hiring managers, you should select and qualify the people you should
be talking to and, acknowledge the intrusion on their time, even if it is only by email.

The main idea to go forward with is that you are setting out to build relationships. Every contact
may either be of direct or indirect benefit to you. If you wanted someone to buy something you were
selling, you would want to be as pleasant as possible. The same holds true in job-search. People want to
help others with whom there is a human connection.. Keep your goal always in mind. Your next call,
your next email may be the one that you need to achieve your objective.
The most difficult part that some people experience is having to step back, sometimes dramatically, from
the positions of authority which they are used to holding in their country of origin or in a previous position
in order to obtain employment. It is important to be both flexible and positive. There is a fine line
between being flexible and appearing to be desperate. You must know what your needs are, financially
and what flexibility you have in terms of salary expectations to meet expenses in the short-medium term.
Research the Internet or in a Reference Library for Salary Averages applicable to your province for the
work you have been accustomed to performing. Most employers will expect salary flexibility for entry-
level positions and that is a reality of the marketplace. Once you are in, your abilities will influence your
progress. Here are some of the mechanics involved in job search:
Resume:
As recruiters, we see hundreds of resumes. The key point is to have a focused document that will serve
to introduce
you to someone who either has the authority to hire you or who can pass you on to someone who does.
Make it easy
for the reader to review your resume by pasting the text of it in an email. Avoid sending it as an
attachment. With
the increasing risk of viruses, attachments may be automatically deleted by the company's firewall,
or the recipient
may have created mail-rules that automatically delete unsolicited attachments. If you send an attachment,
you must
put in some covering message to prove that it comes from a real person. You are risking automatic
deletion if you
don't identify clearly who you are and leave a telephone number for follow up in the message. Sending
an anonymous
attachment without a cover message is a waste of your time.
- Create two versions of your resume, a regular Word .doc and .txt saved
version to send by email
- See http://www.buckleysearch.com/Insider_Guide_To_Job_Search5.htm and
http://www.buckleysearch.com/Insider_Guide_To_Job_Search4.htm for details.
- Ensure your resume is error-free spell-check it and review it manually.
- Create a Skills Summary section in the first 3
rd
of your document with keywords
focused on your experience and qualifications.
- Edit and re-edit your points under employment, omitting extra words.
- Explain gaps in employment.
- Note your experience in reverse chronological order - most recent first.
- Create a Draft Message in Outlook Express that contains a copy of your .txt resume pasted
in the message.
Then you just highlight/copy and paste it in a new message whenever you need it..
- Dont send your resume as an attachment if possible.
It is an extra step for the reader to open your attachment and there is the perceived risk of
viruses. Also, AAT
software (Applicant Tracking) may not read your attachment properly - especially if there are
lots of bullet
points, other symbols, bold and underlining.
- If you send by attachment, save the document with your first and last name and tel #
to make it easier to contact you.
- Ensure that your email and tel ctc info is in your resume information.
Cover Letter:
Your cover letter needs to be brief and clear. Don't tell your life story. Stick to the benefits that you can
bring to the reader's
company. Choose your words very carefully and make sure that every word supports what you are trying
to achieve: getting
the reader to continue reading your resume information. Make the effort to target your letter to a hiring
manager who in the
reporting structure of a company would logically be involved in hiring you. If you were in sales, find
out the name of the
Sales Manager; if you were in accounting, send to the Manager of Finance, and so on. Each message
should be directed to a
specific person for you to benefit from the contact that you make. Ask the person to review your resume
and suggest that
you will call in the next few days to see what his/her opinion is of your experience. Don't ask for a
meeting in this message.
People like to voice their opinions. They are less likely to speak with you if they think you will be asking
them to set up
a meeting as the purpose of your contact. Establish relations before you consider asking for them to give
of their time.

See http://www.buckleysearch.com/Insider_Guide_To_Job_Search7.htm.
- Cover letters should not be attached to your message, they should be part of it,
preceding the resume text.
- Dont repeat contact information in the cover letter that is already on your resume.
- Address your cover letter to a specific person, not a dept.
Sourcing Hiring Managers on the Internet:
The Internet offers many resources to research names of potential recipients of your resume. Learn to
use your search engine
and you will be able to create a targeted list of contacts that are relevant to your experience, your industry
and your employ-
ment objectives. Seek out Industry Associations, Clubs, Journals, Periodicals, Educational organizations,
Job Boards, Discussion Groups -
and identify all entities that are related to the work that you do and the experience that you have.
Those managers that you can't
find through the Internet or through a Reference Library, you will be able to obtain through a company
switchboard.

- See http://www.buckleysearch.com/Insider_Guide_To_Job_Search6.htm for more details
- Source the names of hiring managers/executives who would be involved in decision making at
your level.
- Go to a companys website, look up the Contact Us/Staff Directory or similar page to get email
addresses.
- Send a copy of your message/resume to the companys human resources
manager or director as a courtesy.
- Get names and titles from the switchboard if they aren't in the website.
- Dont send to a general title like human resources dept or general manager. See Scott's
Directories
at a local Reference Library for more names and titles.
- Always get a real name to send to, no exceptions and make sure the title is as
accurate as possible.
- Use your search engine or one like http://www.google.com to find associations that
are active in your industry,
go to their websites and view their membership listings or directors for more qualified names.
- http://www.searchengineguide.com is a useful site to find specialized search engines, also

http://pages.interlog.com/~ndallen/canassoc.html to locate Directories of Associations
- Search for a bi-lateral trade association or chamber of commerce between
Canada and your
previous country of residence, either in the Yellow Pages or through a search engine
query,
ask for leads on companies and executives active in your field or disciplines.
- Check the Canadian Directory of Recruiters: for more recruitment firm options.
http://www.directoryofrecruiters.com
- Check google to see if there are any chat boards, blogs or discussion groups active in your
industry.
- Check the industry journals and publications serving your industry for on-line career
advertising.
Use your search engine.
Create Job Search Agents:
Job Search Agents are useful tools on most job sites that allow you to create profiles of the types of
positions that you
want to explore and to be advised by email of when these jobs are posted. It is a 24 hour job hunting
service working
for you night and day. It should supplement not replace your own efforts. Be specific in the keywords that
you choose
so that you receive only those postings relevant to your job search. If you are employed, use the options
that allow you
to protect your identity. See the following article for details.
- see http://www.buckleysearch.com/Insider_Guide_To_Job_Search8.htm for details.
- Job Search Agents will advise you of job postings of interest 24 hours a day. This allows you
to concentrate on
information gathering and networking.
Industry Events Networking:
Industry Trade Shows, Exhibitions, Conventions and other events are a great place to gather
information on hiring managers.
Exhibitor booths usually have business card holders with the cards of senior or mid level
managers and a well-worked event
will yield many useful contact names for follow up. Send them emails after the show mentioning
that you were impressed with
their exhibit and that their firm, products or services are of interest to you. Don't ask for a
meeting, offer instead your resume
for their review (pasted in an email, not as an attachment) and follow up in 48 hours or so if you
haven't received a reply. It is
important not to be too quick in following up. After a trade show, it is easy to get lost in the flurry
of follow ups that exhibitors
normally do with potential customers. Wait a day or two to send until the initial follow wave of
activity has subsided for them.
- Check for industry events, expositions, trade shows through an association.
- Review who the exhibitors/attendees are as they often appear with names/titles.
- Drop by their booths and gather senior level business cards and/or marketing information.
Some Useful Links To Job Boards and Industry
Associations:
Canadian Transportation & Logistics Online Logistics Directory On line Logistics
Directory, Canada

Suggested link: www.eresumes.com
for the best site on the Internet regarding E-resumes
Suggested link: www.rileyguide.com
extensive resources for on-line Networking and Job Search topics


Recap: Resume & Covering Letter

1. Have two types of resumes - one saved as a .doc and one saved as .txt (ASCII)
2. Don't send your resume as an attachment, paste it in your message (.txt format)
3. Create a Skill Summary that contains keywords directly related to your experience
4. Explain gaps in employment and record jobs in most-recent-first order
5. Save a Draft Message for copying as you need it in your email program
6. If you must send an attachment, save it with your name and tel # in the file name
7. Ensure that your email and telephone contact info is in your resume text
8. Don't send a cover letter as a separate attachment - paste the text in your message
9. Don't repeat contact info in your letter that is in your resume
Recap: Gathering Qualified Target Names
1. Focus on hiring managers who would logically be involved in hiring at your level
2. Look for Contact Us/Staff Directory or similar pages on a company's site for names
3. Call the company's switchboard to ask who is responsible for (X) area
4. Always send to a real person with an actual title, not a general dept
5. Check Associations active in your industry for member lists and directories
6. Check the Scott's Industrial Directories at your local Reference Library for more names
7. Use your search engine to locate industry journals that often contain names and emails
8. Review Association websites for upcoming Trade Shows/Exhibitions and visit them
9. See if any chat boards or discussion groups exist for your industry on the 'Net

Recap: Creating Job Search Agents
1. Register your career-alerts with as many relevant job boards as you can
2. You can usually create agents for more than one position title on the major boards
3. Job search agents will advise you 24 hours a day by email of new jobs posted
If you utilize all of the resources that are available, you will generate a momentum based on your actions
that will lead you from one contact to another. Stay alert to hints of job leads in discussing your resume
with a contact. Seek the person's opinion about any companies that may be hiring. To make the best
lasting impression, send a thank you note for the person's time and guidance.

Brand: You. Creating and Self-Marketing
Yourself to Find a Job During Tough Times
Matt Warzel, MJW Careers, LLC
Mar. 7, 2011, 4:22 PM 6,807 1
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A career brand is an image that portrays you as an expert in your field, attracts your ideal
employer, and reveals how you can help their business. How can you promote your career brand
effectively, to stand out among increasing competition in the workforce? Self-marketing!

Before you begin self-marketing, you need to understand:
1. What you are going to market about yourself
2. Who you are going to market yourself to
3. Why you are going to market yourself to them

This article offers some important tools to develop your career brand and understand your self-
marketing plan.

Goals of Self-Marketing
1. Provide direction to help eliminate trial and error. As a result, save time and money.
2. Network with key industry players.
3. Identify your transferable skills. Marketing these skills, not just job history and
accomplishments, puts you in higher demand (i.e., more interviews).
4. Determine what other industries your transferable skills fit into. The industry you are in affects
the success of your career. Market yourself in growing industries (green-collar, biotechnology,
nutrition, IT). Steer away from dying 5. industries (textile, printing, newspapers, steel
manufacturing, etc.).
6. Resolve any setbacks that hurt your career and prevent you from getting interviews. Fix your
resume so it does not portray you as "a job hopper", "lacking education", or "unable to advance
at a company".

Create Your Own Mission Statement
Just as mission statements provide direction and purpose for companies, individuals can benefit
from having their own personal mission statement too.

Your mission statement says what is important to you. Write yours before starting a career to get
on the right path and connect with companies that have similar values and beliefs. You can
revise it or write a new one at a career crossroads. Its sense of purpose is great motivation!

What to include:
1. Goals - Aspirations in life (short-term and long-term)
2. Core values - Who you are and what your priorities are
3. Successes - Professional, personal, etc.
4. Offerings - How you can make a difference for the world, your family, employer or future
employers, friends and community

Integrate Assessments into Your Career Branding
Career and personality assessments reveal consistent patterns in your traits, characteristics,
strengths, preferences, and skills. The assessment results may lead you in a new career direction.
If you have an established career, they tell you how well your traits and branding messages align
with your career path.

Present your distinctive and noteworthy traits to your targeted employers. Remember that not all
recurring patterns contribute to good branding (e.g., introversion). Disregard any pattern you feel
is not really you.

Incorporate the assessment results into your career branding materials: resume, cover letter,
elevator speech, interview responses, portfolio, business card, etc. Convey a consistent branding
message throughout all of these materials. But you can use different branding statements for
different industries.

Tag! You Are "It"!
Self-marketing is not just about selling your specific skills. Everyone has skills. They get you in
the door, but not necessarily get you the job. There can be 100 or more applicants per job
posting, and they all have the same or better skills as you. How can you stand out as "the one"?

Develop a tag-line. A great tag-line tells people exactly what a product is and how they will
benefit from using it. This is what employers want to know about you! Specifically, how you
will help them make and save money. Tell them how much money you helped a previous or
current employer make or save on a given project, sale, or time period.

Dear Career Journal...
Did you have a diary or journal when you were young? It helped you express feelings when no
one else would listen, or when you did not want anyone else to listen! Similarly, a journal can
help and guide us in our professional adult life too.

Writing in a career journal allows you to set aside time to think and learn more about yourself
and your career. Just as when you were younger, using a journal allows you to express emotions
(good and bad) about career progress. When you read past entries, see how far you have come!

Use your career journal to:
1. Write your personal mission statement
2. React to self-assessment tests
3. Do a SWOT (Strengths/Weaknesses/Opportunities/Threats) analysis
4. Evaluate your current situation
5. Reflect on your successes and failures
6. Devise career goal ideas (breaking into a new career, as a volunteer or consultant)
7. Think about career alternatives
8. Establish daily or weekly career-related objectives or tasks
9. Develop action plans to achieve your objectives and tasks
10. Make checklists
11. Record network contacts, job interview results, etc.
12. Develop job correspondence material (cover letters, resumes, thank you letters, etc.)
13. Practice job interview questions and answers
14. Gather salary information
15. Jot down ideas and information you like and want to use in the future
16. Record things you want or need to learn, skills to improve upon
17. Discover and explore your workplace values
18. Record your job-related likes and dislikes (and employers' likes and dislikes)
19. Note lessons learned
20. Develop ways to improve the workplace
21. Review job-search trends
22. Develop plans for achieving promotions
23. Document the career paths of your peers that you want to emulate
24. Prepare for job performance reviews

Do not keep your career journal at your workplace. Keep it at home on your computer or in a
notebook. Try to set a regular time of day to work on your journal, maybe right after work.
Maybe before work to get yourself motivated and focused on what you can achieve that day!

Your journal is always ready, and no matter where your career path leads you, you can continue
to use it throughout your professional life.

Key Marketing Tools:
Strategic Marketing Plan - Your plan answers these questions:
1. What have I accomplished, where am I now, and where will my career be if I do not take
action?
2. Where do I want to go with my career?
3. How do I get to where I want to go?
4. How do I put my plan into action?
5. What do I need to change if I am not getting success?

Market Research
Understand trends in your career field. Consult resources such as the U.S. Department of Labor's
Occupational Outlook Handbook. Interview industry professionals. Study the companies you
would like to work for. Use this information for your cover letter, resume and job interview.

Marketing Mix
You are probably already familiar with the 4 P's of marketing, or the "marketing mix". The 4 P's
are product, promotion, place, and price. Translate these in terms of you and your career for job
search success.

Product
You are the product with unique characteristics, features, and skills. Expose your "product
features" in your tag-line and resume. Let employers know your work experience, leadership
experience, professional memberships, technical skills, education and training.

Make sure that your on-line marketing tools (i.e., Facebook or MySpace) are cleaned up and
employer ready. You do not want a potential employer to see something on your personal
networking sites that will land you in trouble.

Do not forget "packaging", to properly present yourself and your credentials to potential
employers.

Promotion
This is your cover letter, resume, phone calls, correspondence and interviewing. Promotion tools
include anything that you can use to get a job interview and ultimately get a job offer.
Be memorable by utilizing multimedia marketing like email, follow-up phone calls, or try using
regular priority mail envelopes to send resumes, cover letters and other "marketing materials".
This increases your career brand and distinctiveness.

Place
This includes everywhere employers can access you. How are you reaching employers or people
who can connect you with employers?
1. Internet job-searching and applying to job postings
2. Cold calling
3. Networking with current and former coworkers, colleagues and alumni
4. Speaking with recruiters at staffing and employment agencies and company HR departments
5. Visiting your university career centers and alumni offices
6. Attending professional association meetings and seminars

Price
Price includes all aspects of the compensation you can receive from potential employers, as well
as your strategies to get the price you want, and that the employer feels you deserve. Your price
not only includes salary, but also insurance, benefits, paid time off and perks.

Call in the SWOT Team!
Performing a SWOT Analysis, used in marketing planning, is helpful to use in your career
planning. SWOT stands for Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats. It answers:
1. What are your Strengths and Weaknesses (in your internal environment)?
2. What are Opportunities and Threats in your career field (external environment)?

Strengths
Internal, positive aspects which you can capitalize upon, such as:
1. Work experience
2. Education
3. Technical skills and knowledge (e.g., computer skills)
4. Personal characteristics (e.g., superior work ethic)
5. Strong network of contacts
6. Involvement with professional associations and organizations
7. Enjoying what you do

Weaknesses
Internal, negative aspects that you plan on improving, such as:
1. Lack of work experience
2. Inconsistent major with the job you are looking for
3. Lack of specific job knowledge
4. Weak technical knowledge
5. Weak skills (leadership, interpersonal, communication, teamwork)
6. Weak job-hunting skills
7. Negative personal characteristics (e.g., no motivation, indecisiveness, shyness)
8. Weaknesses identified in past performance appraisals

Opportunities
External, positive conditions out of your control, but you plan to leverage or add value:
1. Field trends* that create more jobs (e.g., globalization, technology)
2. Field needs your set of skills
3. Opportunities for advancement in your field
4. Location
5. Strong network

Threats
External, negative conditions out of your control, but you may be able to overcome:
1. Field trends* that diminish jobs (e.g., downsizing, obsolescence)
2. Companies are not hiring people with your major/degree
3. Competition from college graduates with your same degree
4. Competitors with superior skills, experience or knowledge
5. Competitors who attended better schools
6. Limited advancement in your field (too competitive)
7. Limited professional development in your field
8. Find hiring/employment trends in your field. Go on-line to ABI/INFORM, Business News
Bank, and Lexis/Nexis.

After completing your SWOT Analysis, add the results to your Strategic Marketing Plan. Also,
use your SWOT results to develop the following in your Plan:
1. Career goals
2. Marketing strategies
3. Action plan with deadlines

The Elevator Speech
The Elevator Speech is a clear, concise introduction that can be delivered in the time it takes to
ride an elevator from the top to the bottom of a building. It can be as short as 15 seconds or as
long as three minutes. Write down your Elevator Speech, and practice it so it comes naturally. Be
ready to deliver it!

Use it at:
1. Networking events (including "unconventional" ones, like shopping)
2. Career fairs
3. Cold calls to employers
4. Voice-mails
5. Your current workplace, when you encounter the higher-ups
6. Job interviews when asked, "Why should I hire you?" and "Tell me about yourself"

Your Elevator Speech includes:
1. A greeting
2. Your name
3. Your industry or field
4. Accomplishments, background, qualifications and skills
5. If you are graduating soon, what school and what degree
6. What you want to do and why
7. Why you enjoy what you do or want to do
8. What interests you about the listener's company/business
9. What sets you apart from others
10. Your tag-line that you developed!
11. Your mission statement that you developed!

Finally, capture their interest and request action.
1. At a career fair: "May I have your business card, and give you my card and resume? Can you
add me to your company's interview schedule?"
2. Networking: "What advice do you have for me? What employers do you suggest I contact?"
3. On a cold call: "When can we meet to discuss how I can help your company? May I send you
my resume?"

Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/brand-you-creating-and-self-marketing-yourself-to-
find-a-job-during-tough-times-2011-3#ixzz30MqePPv0
Cliff Notes: The Employment Letters
Cover Letter Preparation
You need a practical cover letter that summarizes your accomplishments and highlights vital
elements in your background, as well as convincing the reader to want to review your resume. A
good cover letter should be customized for your job search and include an interchangeable
template so you can cater each cover letter towards the exact position (even requisition ID
number) for any specific employer, right down to how you can provide a solution to that
particular companys specific needs, thus making your knowledge appear superior to your
competitor.

What are you seeking in this position? Tell them your objective. For example: "I am a 20-year
banking expert seeking a financial advisory position with a progressive, leading company in
Cleveland, OH". Even better, use the companys name.

When preparing a cover letter, a good thing to remember is that it needs to be attention-worthy.
Do not say Dear Hiring Manager, but rather find out the person who is making the hire and
personalize it (target the letter) for them. Do not just state that you need a job in marketing, but
rather why you want a job in marketing at this particular company.

A client of mine used LinkedIn to locate a specific hiring manager at a company that had posted
a position she was highly interested in. She then utilized my Google search methodology (see
How I Contact Hiring Managers to Find a Job) to find the hiring managers email and sent him
a customized cover letter. The hiring manager told her that he immediately picked up the phone
to contact her even before looking at her resume because of her cover letter.

Follow-up Letter Preparation
Post-interview can be the most crucial time for a job seeker. While you are still fresh in the
hiring managers mind, you need to actand quick! You need an effective follow-up letter that:

- Shows the employer your relevant interest in the job

- Shows your appreciation of the correspondence and interview they provided

- Reiterates your skills and any important information you might have not provided while
interviewing

- Reminds them about some key highlights that occurred during the interview

- Updates them with important information they might have requested

- Tells why you can be the solution to their human capital needs

When I recruited for a hiring manager at an Aerospace company, he explained to me that if he
does not receive a follow-up letter, he would not even consider a candidate. Now that is a bit
extreme, but the point is that you never know the type of person that is hiring candidates, so you
must accommodate everyone in every way that is in your control. So if a follow-up letter is
something extra you can do to exceed expectations, why not do it?

In conclusion, I think a cover letter and follow-up letter are just as important as a resume. All of
these documents belong in your job search toolkit and must be precise and just as good as your
resume. I have had clients in the past that did not put the time and effort into their collateral and
wondered why they would not garner an interview. Its simple: provide the potential employers
with everything possible that showcases your abilities and motivation to be better than the
competition, because your competition is making sure they have all the right tools in their
toolbox.