Questions You Should Ask Yourself to Write the Best Resume Possible -

Questions You Should Ask Yourself to Write the Best Resume Possible -Writing your resume can be difficult. After all, youre writing about yourself, and thats hard for anyone to do Youre too close to your career to write objectively. While you might know all the facts, it can be tough to put them in a format and in the right words that convey what you want to a potential employer. Some people also feel uncomfortable bragging about themselves in a resume, but resumes are for putting forward your accomplishments and conveying your skill set.One way to make the task of writing your resume easier is to sit down and really think about what you are trying to convey. Asking yourself questions is a great way to get started. What kind of questions? Read on for some ideas.Questions for Writing Your Profile or Summary StatementAt the top of your resume should be two to three sentences that summarize your professional expertise as well as your career goals. In writing this, you dont need to be in credibly specific, but you need to be clear. ansicht questions can help shape the message for youWhere do I see myself in five years? Ten years?What am I fruchtwein proud of in my career?Which of my skills do I feel most confident in?Why am I applying for this specific job?If I had to describe my work style in three words, what would those words be?And, once youve written your summary, look at it and ask yourself, is this all adjectives?Too many adjectives can actually weaken your summary statement. Use one or two adjectives per sentence, but make sure the sentence as a whole is making a strong point, not just using clich resume words to describe you.Questions for Your Education SectionFor newer grads, this isnt as tough as it may be for older people who have a long list of skills and experiences that they have accumulated since they earned their degree. Nonetheless, with degree requirements becoming a part of nearly every job now, you do need an education section on your resume. Bu t what do you include? Think about ansicht questionsDoes including my college major and not just the fact I graduated strengthen my resume for this particular job?Have I earned any professional certificates that are applicable to this job and should be included?Did I earn any academic recognitions that establish my expertise in a field or topic related to this job?More recent grads should also ask themselves Was I active in any organizations that relate to the job Im applying for?Questions for Your Work History SectionHere we are, the big one. This is where you have to determine most carefully what to leave in, what to add, and how to beef up the descriptions of the jobs youve held in the past. Have no fear, these questions will help get you startedWas I hand-selected, recruited or sought out to fill this position?What have been the most important responsibilities Ive had?Who have been the most impressive/well-known clients I have worked for?What are my top five professional skills? Is there a project/skill/responsibility I dont want to discuss at an interview?Questions for Determining KeywordsIn writing your resume, youre trying to build an impressive picture of yourself that will stand out to a hiring manager. One of the ways to do this is to use strong words that convey your skills and your accomplishments without sounding forced. To get at the keywords that will be effective for you, ask yourself these questionsWhat are three of my best professional qualities?What are three of my worst professional qualities?If my current anfhrer were writing my resume, how would they describe my work ethic and skill set?If I were applying to my dream jobno matter what, NFL quarterback, movie star, stay-at-home momwhat words would I use to describe myself?What values are important to the company I am applying for?Questions to Articulate AccomplishmentsSome of the questions under this section might sound similar to those in the work history section, but thats because the two are closely tied togetherand incredibly important. It can be hard to decide what accomplishments to include on your resume, especially if you have had a long career, but asking these questions for each position youve held can help you sort through which ones are most effective for your resumeWhich of my accomplishments are most closely aligned with the job I am applying for?Which three accomplishments am I most proud of overall?Which accomplishment took the most work to achieve?Which accomplishment was easiest for me?Which accomplishment would I have the most fun describing during an interview?Which accomplishment would be the hardest to explain during an interview?What accomplishment would my current boss point out?How do I define accomplishment?Questions To Convey Your Personal BrandIn the era of social media, this needs to extend to your LinkedIn profile as well as your resume, cover letter, and behavior at the office. But how do you figure out your personal brand? And then how do you convey it? Get started with the questions below, and perhaps even check out this free quick quiz from Glass Door, or these professional resources from DISC.What is my dream job? How will I get there?How do I want an administrative assistant to describe me? A CEO? My cubicle mate?Am I a leader, a collaborator, or a behind-the-scenes worker?What professional topic could I talk about for hours?What motivates me to go to work? Money, coworkers, the work I do, ambition, etc.?If I had a professional blog, what would the topic be?If I wrote a book about my career, what would the title be?What am I known for in my career?What do people come to me for that they do not go to other people for?Is there a common theme across my career that I see whenever I reflect on my different positions?ConclusionJust as scientists start experiments by asking questions, so too should you start the process of writing your resume. Brainstorm, put all the information on paper, and then go from there. You wont use everything you wrote down, nor should you, but in the end you will have a resume that is stronger and mora effective than you would have otherwise. If you get stuck, ask other people some questions about yourself. Perhaps you have a trusted coworker who knows youre looking for a new jobask them what they see as your professional strengths or your personal brand. When it comes to writing a resume, take your time and dig deep.Are you tired of your resume being rejected by applicant tracking systems? I know how frustrating it is to submit your resume and receive no response. I hate seeing qualified people never breakthrough the screening process. It shouldnt be that way. Thats why I created this guide and I encourage you to download the FREE PDF so you can start seeing better resume response rates

A Guide to Combating Ageism in Your Senior Job Search

A Guide to Combating Ageism in Your Senior Job Search A Guide to Combating Ageism in Your Senior Job SearchIf you think your job search is being affected by age discrimination, here are some tips to get past these obstacles.Many experienced candidates are terrified of encountering ageism in their job-search process. They worry that they are too old, too expensive, or too demanding to get the job they want.When calls from recruiters and hiring managers dont roll in like a tsunami wave, its easy to get discouraged. Perhaps everyone out there is looking for someone a little or a lot younger. Should the over 40 crowd hang on to their current jobs for dear life? And if you are conducting a search, is it practical to perhaps set your sights lower just to get out of unemployment and land a job? The tough reality is that age discrimination is real, especially when it comes to the senior job search. It can happen anywhere, despite age-awareness campaigns and threats of lawsuits. Hiring mana gers are human, and sometimes that means having stereotypes and past experiences that arent favorable towards seasoned professionals.You cant control what baggage and beliefs the employer will bring into the interview. However, there are plenty of factors that you can manage strategically to create better outcomes. Here are six job-search strategies for older workers that can help.Update your professional presenceFrom the ATS to LinkedIn profiles, older candidates can appear unprepared for the digital scrutiny of todays hiring process. This includes your professional presence erreichbar, which includes your uploaded resume and LinkedIn profile. Make koranvers that all of them are up to date.Resume formats have changed a lot over the last decade. If your resume still opens with an Objective section, its time to rework it. Remember that many companies use applicant tracking systems (or ATS for short) to screen resumes. If your resume isnt optimized for the ATS, it runs the risk of get ting rejected before any human gets a chance to read it.RelatedWhat Is an ATS? How to Write a Resume to Beat the BotsLinkedIn profile standards change quickly, as well. At the very least, your profile should be optimized and look freshly maintained. Check that your current employer of record is, in fact, still current. Also, make koranvers that your profile includes a recent headshot. Some older professionals worry that a picture will disqualify them and opt to go without (or, worse yet, including one from 15 years ago). However, internal data from LinkedIn has shown that profiles without a picture get fewer views and less interaction so dress professionally, smile, and look energetic.Upgrade your job-search methodsEmployers dont fill vacancies the way they used to. Fewer jobs are advertised in a newspaper companies opt to publish their job openings online instead, so dont stick with an old-school approach for your job searchNewspaper advertisement sections dont work anymore, and s ending your resume to a company and waiting around for them to respond is likely to be disappointing as well. Yet, the silence doesnt mean there are no jobs out there for mid- and late-career candidates job announcements just arent where you last saw themTry widening your net. Look at LinkedIn Jobs, online job boards, and industry-specific job boards that are unique to your job search. Thought leaders and bloggers can sometimes share job announcements for employers in their field, as well. Dig around and you might be surprised by the wealth of options you didnt realize existed. Also, network, network, and network. You have the unquestionable advantage of knowing people in the industry, so use itBe prepared for objectionsIts important to remember that in the eyes of a hiring manager, every single candidate has at least some red flags. For one professional, it might be a gap on the resume. For someone else, it might be frequent job hopping or an out-of-state mailing address. And yes, age could be a potential concern as well on both sides of the spectrum.Just remember that hiring managers may have reservations about your qualifications, fluency, and fit with the gruppe as well, not just about your age. Dont take that as a sign that youve failed and dont get defensive. Instead, try to see the situation from the hiring managers perspective when you prepare. If you were in their shoes, what concerns would you have? What questions would you ask, and what answers would you find encouraging? Then, prepare so that your responses are thoughtful and effective and ease your prospective employers worries.Keep your skills currentThe problem with some older, experienced candidates is that they dont stay up to date on technology and become less attractive than someone who has.Technology changes fast, so show your prospective employer that you will hit the ground running. To do that, its important to know what technology is table stakes for the job you are seeking and also to have a sense for what the future holds. An informational interview with the company youre interested in, combined with a careful review of the job description, should point you in the right direction for your research.Even if you arent looking for a job in technology, its critical to have a level of comfort with using technology in your job search. Skype, video conferencing, and online scheduling are the new normal for interviews. Match the hiring managers request for information exchanges If they are asking for you to email answers to a few specific questions, dont insist on an in-person meetingDont undercut yourselfThis point is tough to over-emphasize. All too often, older job candidates are their own worst enemies. When a candidate is dismissive of their qualifications, makes a joke about their age, or otherwise hints that age is an issue for them, they can hurt their prospects even with a neutral or sympathetic interviewer.So, what should you look out for to avoid this?Be pre pared that the hiring manager or the HR specialist conducting the initial interview will be younger than you. Dont go into the conversation feeling like you have to defend your right to be there. On the flip side, dont be dismissive of the person interviewing you just because they are younger. Stay focused on your contribution promise to the company, core skills and qualifications, and your experience that will make you an asset to the team.RelatedDont Answer These Off-Limits Interview QuestionsMake sure you are considering the right employersYes, its possible to work for a company that will value your experience and reward you for being exactly who you are And, lets be honest, some companies are just better than others at doing that. So, look around and scan through your prospective employers carefully. Read company reviews on Glassdoor (with a grain of salt, of course) and ask others in your network about their experiences.Speaking of your network, one final note The people you kn ow can help you find opportunities that havent been (and may never be) posted publicly. Keep those connections active, both during your job search and while you are employed. Remember that if you make a compelling case, a position or an opening might be created for you specifically.Combating ageism in your senior job searchAge discrimination during the job search does happen. Its unfortunate. It robs our workplaces of valuable experience and remarkable contributors. And, when it comes to the employer side, theres little you can do to control it beyond filing a lawsuit if you believe age discrimination has taken place.However, you can do a lot to control your side. Brush up your professional presence, present a compelling case by demonstrating your expertise, sharp skills, flexibility, and energy, and go in prepared to address possible objections without getting defensive.That final point is critically important. As an older job candidate, you might feel as though the world is consp iring against you. Yet, the reality is that the job-search process is tough for everyone. Right now, a new college grad might be sitting at a happy hour, complaining to his friends that no one will hire him because he has no experience, or theres probably a middle-aged candidate out there whos convinced that theyre too old to get a good job.Age is relative, so stay positive. Turn off the negative news. Get a workout, go for a walk, or invest in a resume rewrite to ageism-proof your resume. Stay focused on what you can control, take the next step, and the result will take care of itself.Not sure if your resume is aging you? Check with a free resume critique from our experts todayRecommended Reading6 Ways You Can Overcome Age Discrimination During the Job SearchHow We Helped This Professional Who Was Stuck In His Toxic Job10 Powerful Changes for Your Senior-Level ResumeRelated Articles

Education and Experience Don#8217;t Guarantee Success  Attitude and Habits Do

Education and Experience Don8217t Guarantee Success Attitude and Habits Do Professional success is the culmination of many factors. Yur education matters maybe not as much as you think, but a degree in your field can really jump-start your progress. Your experience certainly matters, but that can only come to you after years of dedication. Your talent matters, too, but aside from skills (which develop from experience), most of your talent is innate, meaning you have a natural tendency to perform well in certain areas mora than in others. Your network of contacts matters, but you cant always control who you interact with. And ultimately, at least some of your career success is going to come down to a factor of luck.Looking at these things, it may seemlike there is little you can control when it comes to professional success. But thats not true. In fact, none of these things will matter if you neglect the most important factors of success and these ar e all thingsyou need to createfor yourself1. A Positive AttitudeThe whole positive attitude angle might seem like a gimmick after all, can you think of anybody successful who got to where they are only because they thought positive thoughts? Of course not. But you can trace almost any successful entrepreneur or professionals journey and find at least one major obstacle that nearly disrupted everything. In the face of that obstacle, these people remained positive, which motivated action rather than submission, and eventually, they rose to the top.Positive thinking is about more than helping yourself through the tough times. Research shows thatpositive self-talk, rather than negative self-talk, can actively reduce your stress levels, giving you greater physical and mental health and a greater capacity to perform atyour maximum.The best part is that there arent any naturally positive or naturally negative people your thoughts and your self-talk can be controlled with practice, meanin g a positive attitude is something you can, and should, create for yourself.2. Ongoing HabitsOur habits make us who we are. Over time, our repeated actions become automatic. Once were in that groove, its nearly impossible to break the chain. With bad habits like sleeping through your first alarm or working through your breaks this unbreakable chain can be a bad thing. But with positive habits like regularly reading or fact-checking all of your work this unbroken chain can lead you to success.Though many habits form unconsciously through our natural actions, it is possible to create ongoing habits for yourself. The key to creating these habits is consistency If you want to start doing something every day, you must force yourself to start doing it on a daily basis. Dont allow yourself to slip in the first few weeks. After a few rounds of consistent effort, it will become easier.Breaking bad habitscan be tougher, but its entirely within your power.3. GoalsWhile your specific job ma y have company goals that dictate your actions, your professional goals are entirely within your control.Create goals that are too loftyand youll never be able to make significant progress. Create goals that are too easy, and youll never reach your true potential.The reliable standby for creating good goals are the SMART criteria. SMART is an acronym that describes the five key qualities that all goals must have They must be specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and time-specific.In addition to meeting these criteria, you should create goals on multiple scales. For example, you should have broad, flexible long-term goals detailing your plans for your long-term success, but you should also have smaller, more immediate goals that can lead you to those broader visions and medium-sized goals in between the two to act as milestones.4. Tactical PlansGoals are good for helping you to hone your desires and set the tone for your career, but without a solid plan of execution, those des ires are only pipe dreams. As an extension of your goals, you must learn to create tactical plans that detailhow youre going to achieve those goals. That might include a list of tasks you must accomplish before reaching the goal, a series of strategies youre going to use while pursuing that goal, or a list of prerequisites youll need to have before moving on to the next phase of your plan. If youre having trouble coming up with an initial plan, you may need to do additional research before moving forward.5. A Healthy EnvironmentAs humans, we are often products of our environments. In the professional world, this is no different. If your desk is messy, your mind may be more frantic and cluttered. If you work in a noisy area full of distractions, youll never be able to focus.More importantly, if youre surrounded bynegative, apathetic, or downright lazy people, youll never be able to motivate yourself to achieve your goals. If youre working in a place that doesnt acknowledge hard work, youll never be able to progress.Create your own environment to maximize your chances for success, whether that means working within the confines of your current organization ormoving on to a better opportunity. Surround yourself with the types of people who will lead you to success, and structure your work environment so you can be your most productive.Once you start creating these things for yourself consistently and with dedication, you will find yourself naturally gravitating toward a path of success. With a strong vision in your mind and the right attitude and environment to carry you through the obstacles that lie ahead, there should be nothing stopping you from achieving your goals.A version of this article originally appeared on SUCCESS.com.Larry Alton is a professional blogger, writer, and researcher who contributes to a number of reputable online media outlets and news sources, including Entrepreneur.com, HuffingtonPost.com, and Business.com, among others. In addition to j ournalism, technical writing,and in-depth research, hes also active in his community and spends weekends volunteering with a local nonprofit literacy organization and rock climbing. Follow him on Twitter and LinkedIn.