Does your resume represent the best you have to offer?  When you read it, are you proud to say that it represents you? Does your resume need a make-over?  Review your resume with these tips in mind…

** Does your resume target your audience? **
Every job and each employer seeks a slightly different applicant.  Unless you are applying for the same exact job over and over again, you should not be sending the identical resume for every position.  Research your target organizations.  Use their buzzwords and lingo in your application materials.  (You can easily tweak a well written resume to appeal to different audiences, so don’t feel that you need to completely rewrite your resume for each new job.)

** Is your resume attractive, consistent, error-free and easy to read? **
Don’t underestimate how important it is to have a clear, error-free, visually impressive resume.  Does your resume look crowded with thick text blocks that may be difficult to scan?  Are you making strong use of bold to enhance your document, or are you overdoing it?  Did you use a resume template from your word processing software?  (Don’t!)  Since readers likely give your resume a 20-second glance, visual appeal is important.  If the reader notices careless spelling errors, it is not likely that you will land an interview.

** Do you DEMONSTRATE what you have to offer? **
Is your resume a laundry list of jobs you held, or does it engage the reader and demonstrate your skills and achievements?  You should quantify your value using percentages, numbers and specifics.  Your resume should highlight the positive impact that you had in previous jobs.  You want to convince the reader that you could do the same for them. If your resume is TARGETED, ATTRACTIVE and DEMONSTRATES what you have to offer, it will be more than a TAD above the rest!

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“Seeking liars; apply within.” An unlikely headline for any job. While some employers may be lazy and fail to confirm credentials before hiring certain applicants, people who embellish their qualifications or lie about them are always at risk for losing their positions — even after having worked in the job for years.

Case in point, news reports indicate that Steve Masiello’s coaching career has gone into limbo because the University of South Florida (USF) decided to verify his credentials before extending a formal offer to recruit him away from his current position at Manhattan College. Clearly, based on his bio posted on his current employer’s website, he was representing himself as having a bachelor’s degree. A background check uncovered the lie; he never graduated. Now, he stands to lose the offer to join USF he is on leave from his current job as a result. One lie could result in two lost jobs.

If you don’t want to be looking over your shoulder or hoping no one in HR gets suspicious and decides to audit their files, avoid these whoppers on your resume:

Lies About Past Employers

Do not lie about where you worked, even if you think it sounds impressive to pad your resume with big-name employers. It’s very easy to verify employment, even via a quick review of LinkedIn contacts and an email or two.

Lies of Omission

If you think failing to mention key points will keep you out of trouble, think again. “You never actually asked me if I graduated with a degree” will not serve as a good excuse if you’re approached about lying about your academic credentials that may be listed in an ambiguous manner on your resume. Leaving dates off your resume and failing to disclose other details is not wise.

As illustrated in Masiello’s case, these lies can come back to bite you, even after you’ve been in a job. In fact, there was a case of a dean at MIT who resigned her post after working there for 28 years when the university audited its files and learned she did not have degrees from the three schools listed on her initial resume.

Half-Truths

Plan to leave a job off your resume because you were only there for a short time? Keep in mind, there is a lot of scrutiny on new hires, and if a company conducts a background check, you’ll need to be prepared to explain why you didn’t want anyone to know you worked in that company. You don’t want to raise any red flags or spook employers who might wonder what else they don’t know about you before they hire you.

Little Embellishments

You’ve likely read about how personal branding is an important part of marketing yourself for a job, but you may have incorrectly assumed boosting your qualifications was part of growing your brand. Avoid embellishing your titles, your mentors or your skills and accomplishments on your resume and you’re much more likely to land in a job that’s the right fit for you. Avoid this big job search mistake to find – and keep – your next job.

Originally appeared on AOLJobs.com.

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How to find a job

The following are additional tips to help you get out of a job search rut and back to work:

1. Check your documents. Update your resume.There’s nothing worse than realizing (too late) that your resume looks like it’s from the 1980s and that you’ve been applying for positions without the requisite keywords needed to get the job. Review job descriptions and ask yourself, “Does my resume make a clear connection between what the employer wants and what I offer?” Be sure it’s really obvious; do not expect anyone to give you the benefit of the doubt or to read between the lines. When you do apply online for jobs, a computer system will scan and evaluate your materials, so you need to be very clear and specific about your skills.

2. Stop looking for a job and start looking for a company. Stop searching the web for random jobs; you’re wasting your time. Instead, identify a list of 10 or 15 companies and comb your network to make connections in those organizations. Read everything you can about your targeted companies. “Follow” them on social media, including LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter. Watch videos that they share on YouTube.

The more you know about the organizations, and the more networking you do to gain access to unposted opportunities, the more likely you are to land an interview.

3. Use social media. Take advantage of online tools, such as LinkedIn, Twitter and Google+ to connect with professionals in your industry. Think of these social media tools as opportunities to demonstrate your expertise so that more people will have the opportunity to know, like and trust you.

Most people don’t worry about how get the word out about themselves until it’s time to look for a job. If you’re like most job seekers, you have a pretty limited in-person network. Luckily, social media can change that in a jiffy! When you identify people online who share your professional interests, you can easily connect with them, pass along information they share to your community, and highlight what you know about your field or industry. You may be surprised by how generous your new, online contacts may be. Keep in mind: you only need a few great contacts to help you land a job, so don’t worry about getting thousands of followers or friends.

4. Start a business. If you’ve been out of work for a while, it may be time to start thinking about starting a business. One reason to hang your own shingle is because statistics show that more and more companies are turning to temporary, or contract workers, for projects instead of hiring full-time staff. You want to set yourself up to succeed in this environment.

Even if you don’t think running your own business is a goal for the long term, looking for project and freelance work can help you keep your finger on the pulse of your industry. When you take on short-term jobs, you’ll demonstrate how engaged you are in your industry and earning money: it’s a win-win.

Photo by jimmywayne

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I’m sure you’ve seen advice that tells you that the resume is dead. What’s the justification? It depends on the theme of the day:

Your Twitter profile is your resume.

Your LinkedIn profile is your resume.

It’s your entire online presence — don’t bother with a resume, all anyone cares about is what you’re doing online.

It goes on and on.

Resume Tips

Recently, David Schepp from AOL Jobs interviewed me about the latest story proclaiming “Twitter is your new resume” because an employer is planning to hire someone based on their tweets. My thoughts on the issue:

The lesson here is not really “the resume is dead.” (Because that’s clearly not true.) However, job seekers need to remember that social media is becoming more pervasive in hiring. I strongly believe your digital footprint is becoming more and more important for all professionals. You should expect your online presence to play a role in the job search which appears. That means you need to plan to have a presence on whatever networks make sense, such as Twitter, Google+, Facebook and LinkedIn.

In other words, yes – your social networks make a difference, but they are not going to replace resumes in the very near future.

Need proof? Quintessential Careers recently posted about a poll conducted by Top Echelon Network, an elite network of highly specialized search firms. They asked executive recruiters if they believe the traditional resume is dead. 83 percent of the respondents believe the traditional resume is “just as important” as it was 10 years ago.

So, don’t ditch your resume, but don’t forget to build up a digital presence to support your skills and accomplishments. Cover all your bases and you’ll be better off as a result.

photo by Grufnik

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Job seekers who want to increase the relevancy of their search results and increase the chances of being found can take advantage of a relatively new high precision job search technology on the job search scene, known as “semantic search.” Monster.com launched semantic search three years ago with the introduction of its 6Sense semantic search technology. Monster’s 6Sense semantic search technology is at the heart of the company’s SeeMore product, which won the Top Product of the Year Award at the 15th annual HR Technology Conference & Expo. Earl Rennison, vice president of architecture with Monster.com, explains the benefits of using this type of search, and suggests tips for writing a resume that would help employers using this technology to find you.

How Semantic Search Helps Job Seekers Find Opportunities

1. Job seekers benefit from complex results without needing long search strings. Instead of needing to hone in on an exact keyword to find the perfect job description, seekers can use standard, conversational language in their searches and include sentences and phrases.

Additionally, Monster uses a knowledge base to expand a search query semantically. For example, if a seeker searches for a “sales” position, the query expands to find “Account Managers” and “Account Representatives” in addition to “Sales Rep” and “Sales Manager” positions.

2. The tool ranks results meaningfully. It uses a knowledge base to represent concepts and weeds out words with multiple meanings that don’t relate to the intent of the search.

3. Precision and recall. 6Sense Semantic Search judges and remembers your searches. It actually “learns” from you and delivers the right set of job postings so you don’t miss anything or become overwhelmed with too many useless posts.

4. Relationship hierarchies. Since the system sorts via a hierarchy of relationships, subtle changes in a query can have a significant impact on results.

5. Analyze top job skills. Monster’s 6Sense semantic search also powers a jobs skills analysis tool that lets job seekers see the top skills that employers are searching for in candidates, based on the skills employers have included in their job listings.

How Can Job Seekers Ensure Their Resumes Are Well-Suited for Semantic Search?

While semantic search makes it easier for job seekers to find opportunities, it also affects how participating hiring managers will screen resumes. Rennison explains: “A semantic search engine requires articulate, detailed descriptions in your resume, including skills job seekers use. The engine analyzes each employment section and interprets what it means. It will extract relevant skills from each position, and it capably analyzes how each position adds depth and breadth.”

Tips to Write a Resume for Semantic Search

1. Keywords. While keywords are still important in resumes, be sure to use them in context, and explain what accomplishments resulted from using the skills needed for the job.

2. Resume structure. It’s always a good idea to have a simple resume format. Rennison says columns could confuse the search engine. He suggests grouping topics logically and avoiding fancy formatting.

3. Articulate how you used your skills over time. The system looks at each position to add depth to your experience. Make sure to articulate your value and reinforce your skills over time.

Read the entire post on U.S. News & World Report

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It’s important to note — video resumes haven’t become mainstream, yet. However, in some cases, they may make a difference in helping someone land an interview.

For example, companies such as the nonprofit Music Saves Lives have successfully incorporated video introductions as part of their hiring and candidate screening process for volunteer positions. Chief Executive Officer Russel Hornbeek says: “By requesting and watching the videos we have found those that truly have enthusiasm for our life saving programs. It’s great to be able to have our on-site touring staff recognize the volunteers chosen for the event we have them scheduled for.”

These video introductions are becoming more common in customer-facing industries such as retail, hotel, and hospitality because they offer the hiring manager an opportunity to observe the job seeker’s customer engagement and relationship skills in action.

However, it’s possible to successfully connect with a recruiter in a more traditional industry with a video introduction. Mike Ramer, president of Ramer Search Consultants—a professional recruiting firm specializing in the financial, energy, biomedical, and human resources fields—agrees that video resumes are a useful way for some candidates to demonstrate their professionalism and to help them differentiate from the crowd. According to him, “If I received a video resume, I would review it, and if it’s impressive, it can absolutely help the candidate.”

MyNextGig.com founder and CEO Richard Linden agrees. “These online video introductions are a great way for corporate recruiters to get to know the job seekers beyond the traditional resume and online social networking profile,” he says. “Many companies don’t like to be contacted face-to-face until the interview. Video introductions allow job seekers an opportunity to build a relationship with the recruiter and on the recruiter’s terms.”

MyNextGig.com’s job board offers job seekers the opportunity to create a video introduction. Its tools allow you to create a digital job profile that showcases your video resume as your application.

Linden suggests you follow these tips to create a video resume that makes a good impression:

1. Appearances are everything.

2. Short and sweet.

3. Don’t be afraid to be creative.

4. Highlights only, please.

Read the whole post on my U.S. News & World Report column.

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Keep these tips in mind so your resume will make the cut:

1. Use keywords.
Study job descriptions to identify what the employer wants and include key words in your document. For example, job titles are keywords – use your targeted job title in your resume’s headline. Incorporate nouns and noun phrases describing the skills the employer is seeking. For example, “cross-functional teams and internal and external customer service.” Include degrees, certifications, and memberships – all may be keywords for the job.

2. Use up-to-date language to reflect modern skills.
Avoid old-fashioned references and language that makes the reader think you are stuck in the past or lacking useful skills. For example, while some offices still use fax machine, don’t highlight your ability to fax a document as if it’s your most important accomplishment. If you work with computer programs, be sure to reference the most up-to-date software versions.

3. Highlight relevant skills.
If you work in customer service, demonstrate your ability to use social media in your resume to help distinguish you from other applicants. If your skills are lacking, sign up for some classes or look for online opportunities to learn new information. Then, include the course work or just list the new skills in your resume. Don’t underestimate informal ways to learn new things; you may be surprised by how much you can pick up by watching YouTube videos.

4. Demonstrate flexibility and adaptability.
One stereotype some employers may have about experienced workers is that they may have a hard time learning new things. How can you show you’re ready, willing, and able to learn? Emphasize how you’ve used up-to-date tools, and showcase accomplishments related to those tools. For example, even if you’re unemployed, consider creating a YouTube channel for a non-profit organization where you volunteer. If the non-profit reaches more people via the channel and increases their donations, you will have a great story for your resume that also makes it clear you aren’t stuck in 1995.

5. Highlight results.
Avoid language such as, “responsible for” or “assisted in;” these are dated ways to describe what you offer. If the description asks for a detailed, customer-service oriented candidate, don’t say, “Responsible for providing strong customer service and answering phones.” Instead, include specifics, and highlight skills and results:

“Use strong attention to detail to provide customer service support to patients, guests, and staff. Answer telephones, transcribe messages, and route calls, resulting in winning customer service awards (2011 and 2012).”

When you create bullet points that draw direct connections between what you did and what the employer wants you to do, it will be easier for the reader to envision you in the job.

6. Don’t cling to the past.
A mistake many job seekers make is they insist on including an in-depth work history, even if it does not interest the employer. Make every word count: Review your resume and compare it to job descriptions. Highlight the parts of your resume that relate specifically to your target job. If the majority of your resume is not highlighted, it is time for a major resume overhaul.

photo by NASA Goddard Photo and Video

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One key to job search success: an up-to-date, contemporary resume that doesn’t make the reader assume you last applied for a job in 1995. Here are some tips to help you create a resume an employer will appreciate:

Include links in your contact information.
Include links to social media profiles (such as your LinkedIn URL) in your resume’s contact information. If you use other social media tools professionally (such as Twitter or Facebook), include that information as well. Simply listing these will help someone reading your resume picture you as a candidate who is keeping up with modern communication tools. Use a professional email that doesn’t reference your age or family status. (For example, avoid “gram@hotmail.com” or “mom7@gmail.com.)

Typeface.
Your resume doesn’t need to be in Arial or Times New Roman. To create a more modern look, consider expanding your typeface choices to include: Georgia, Calibri, Tahoma, or Geneva.

Nix the objective.
While there are no absolute rules for resumes, adding an “objective,” which usually focuses on the job seeker’s needs, will make you seem out-of-step with today’s market. Instead, use headlines to highlight what you offer that is in line with what the employer wants in a candidate. For example, take a look at the “before” and “after” highlights for a candidate looking for a medical administrative assistant job:

Before Objective:
Innovative, highly motivated, dynamic team player with extensive experience, stellar writing skills and the ability to effectively manage concurrent projects seeks opportunity to contribute in hospital setting.

After headline:
Medical Administrative Assistant / Unit Secretary / Clerical Expert

Maintain Confidentiality – Coordinate Effectively With All Stake Holders

Strong Oral and Written Communication Skills – Organized – Reliable – Quick Thinking

Notice how the “after” example includes job titles and specifics directly from the job description to describe relevant skills.

Avoid “empty” words.
Notice the “before” objective includes “highly motivated,” “dynamic,” and “team player.” None of these words help the reader learn something specific about the candidate. Do not waste space with generalities. The more targeted you can be, the more vibrant and interesting your resume appears.

Avoid “functional” resume formats.
Functional resumes focus on the job seeker’s skills without emphasizing when and where he or she used those skills. Sounds great for someone who wants to de-emphasize age and years of experience, right? The problem is, hiring managers like to know when and where you used the skills you say you have. Many will assume someone using this format is trying to hide something. Since you don’t want to arouse suspicion, stick to a “reverse chronological” format, where you describe your most recent experience first and include dates.

Graduation dates.
You may choose to leave off the year you earned your degree(s), but assume if you do, the person reading your resume may  assume you are older than you are.

Don’t include every job you’ve ever had.
It’s perfectly acceptable to only include the last 10 years of your professional experience. You may even choose to headline the section, “Recent Experience.” If it is relevant, summarize work you did more than 10 years ago at the end without describing it in detail.

Now that you have an idea of how to structure your resume, what content should you include to appear as modern and hire-able as possible? In my next post, I’ll explain. Stay tuned.

photo by practicalowl

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Is it worthwhile to hire a resume writer?

This was my reply:

Thanks for asking for my opinion! Without seeing your resume or knowing more about what you’d like to do, I cannot say if you, in particular, would benefit from hiring a professional resume expert (that is the right term). It’s possible that your resume is great, but it is equally likely that you have not highlighted the key points your next employer requires.

Depending on whom you have asked for feedback, you may or may not be learning how recruiters or hiring managers will see your resume. It’s possible your friends and family members may think your resume is great, but they probably aren’t familiar with how employers (and applicant tracking systems – the computer systems that screen resumes) will view your document.

The biggest test is if you land interviews as a result of your resume. (Of course, you’ll want to be sure to network at the same time as you submit resumes, as networking and referrals are the best ways to land jobs.)

I would suggest, if you are confident in your resume, you should seek opinions from hiring managers in your field and see how things go with your applications. If you land interviews, your resume is doing its job. If you don’t hear back, consider consulting with an expert to help so you don’t waste time and effort applying until you have the strongest document possible. (Don’t forget — you also lose money every day you are not employed. Depending on the cost of the resume and your expected salary, you may be able to easily make back the cost of the resume expert by landing a job just a day or two sooner than you otherwise would have landed.)

I’ve written some posts exploring this topic:

Should you hire someone to write your resume?

Why hire a career coach?

photo by practicalowl

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Hiring managers see thousands upon thousands of resumes every year. That’s why job seekers have to stand out in a crowd if they are  harboring any hope they’ll be hired.

When you’re writing a resume, what you don’t know can hurt you. John Kalusa is a nationally recognized writer who speaks about corporate sales, recruiting, and personal career management. With over 25 years of experience as a strategic recruiting, human resources, and sales and marketing management leader in start-ups and Fortune 250 companies, he’s well qualified to comment on what hiring managers want to see — and what they DON’T want to see.

Mistake #1: Failing to highlight your strengths

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