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A good resume is very important. I initally did my own resume utilizing a standard boilerplate template and was quite pleased with it myself. After several months without finding a job and only a couple of interviews I came to the realization that my resume wasn't doing what I wanted it to do. I had the local employment office do one for me that landed me an interview, but had mistakes on it that totally blew the interview for me. Not to mention how embarrassing that lesson was.

So, I went back to square one with my original resume and did a lot of research on the subject. The turning point for me was when I decided to go against the "Pros" advice and go with a two page resume; a cover page and then the resume itself. Both pages had the same format and again, against the advice of others, I had a small photo of myself on both pages in the upper left hand corner. On the cover page I stated the position that I was applying for, a brief one paragraph work summary highlighting my strengths. Then another brief paragraph stating how I would be an asset to the company. And finally salary/wage requirements and references. I customized each resume to fit the position that I was applying for. I immediately started to get interviews and had landed a job within a couple of weeks.

I guess what I'm trying to convey is that if you don't know what you are doing, get someone that does to do it for you, but be sure to proofread it carefully before submitting for a position. Customize your resume to fit the position that you're applying for. If you're not getting results, experiment and try something different. Find out what works for you geared to the type of employment you're looking for. I hope this helps someone as much as it did me.

Happy job hunting!

I've been using the standard boiler plate resume and cover letter and customizing it to fit the position that I was applying for. Well, evidently that hasn't been good enough. So I decided to let a professional have a shot at it. She whipped up my resume in under 30 min. and was quite pleased with her work. I, on the other hand, wasn't as excited about her work as she was but she was the professional so I didn't question her. The format looked wierd and she had left out what was to me very important information.

I uploaded my resume and within two days had four requests and landed an interview with a South American company starting up new operations in the US.

So, if you think your resume is all that and a bag of chips, you may want to have a professional take a look at it. After all, getting your foot in the door is what it's all about.

http://www.jobs.nih.gov/jobsearch/FederalResume.htm

Click the link for to access other information such as what can I apply for, search for NIH jobs and where to look for your NIH job search. Good luck ...

Myth or Fact?
1. Résumés have to be one page.

Myth - In the government, résumés are often longer than one page because of the detailed information applicants must provide to be considered.
2. As a recent graduate, your educational experience can not qualify as specialized experience.

Myth - Many of the assignments, committees, or extra-curricular groups students participate in can be used as experience on an application as long as it corresponds with the job duties and KSA’s of the position. For example, Katie was the head of the finance club where she worked on sample projects with a consulting firm. She can describe that experience when applying for a Financial Analyst position.
3. Social security numbers (SSNs) are a common addition on a résumé.

Fact - Many résumés need SSNs for identification purposes, however, NIH advises applicants not to include their SSN on paper résumés or in the body of an electronic résumé.
4. Using bullets is a great way to describe job duties on a résumé.

Fact- Although not always common on federal résumés, bullets make it easier to read job duties.
Formatting
There are many different styles of résumés, however, a Federal résumé should include the most relevant work experience and educational information at the beginning of the résumé. This is best displayed in a short summary or a brief autobiography. You should include information such as skills, competencies, major accomplishments, training or any information that is required or related to the job announcement. If there is something specific you want to convey, place that information up front.

Keywords, Keywords, Keywords

Keywords are very powerful words that can enhance a recruiter’s understanding of your qualifications and experience. For example, when a recruiter reads the keyword "analyst," he or she might assume you have experience in collecting data, evaluating effectiveness, and researching and developing new processes.

Keywords are most likely action verbs. When constructing your explanation of previous experience, you should use action verbs to act as descriptions, expressing how you performed that function and with what result.two men collaborate on a document

If the job announcement uses keywords to describe the duties such as "develops" or "implements," these words are representative of independence in work assignments and the range of responsibility for the available position. You should include your experience "developing" or "implementing" to demonstrate your previous independence.
Numbers, Numbers, Numbers

Enhance your résumé by adding numerical results. Numerical results can increase appeal with recruiters because it provides a description of the responsibility level that may relate directly to the duties of the position. For example, an individual who was in the budget field has "worked with disseminating budgets for small projects." But when the applicant describes her experience with numbers, her description is more relevant as "disseminated the budgets for small projects amounting to $450,000." Numbers can be a great way to describe the responsibility, pressures, and accomplishments of your previous endeavors as they relate to the position you are applying to.
The Long vs. Short Struggle

Federal résumés are much longer than a résumé created for the private industry, but how long is too long?
The Long of It
Federal résumés are usually longer because they should be more descriptive and detailed. When writing your résumé, it is very important for you to include all information related to the position so that recruiters are able to determine if you qualify for their position. Leaving this information off in the interest of shortening your résumé can exclude you from being considered "best qualified."
The Short of It

Although federal résumés need to be detailed, there should be some discretion when there is too much information. All information that relates directly to the position should be included on the résumé but information that is only indirectly related can be excluded if the résumé begins to grow.  Many applicants are proud of their work experience and want to list it all, however, information such as work experience or education that happened a very long time ago and is not a requirement of the future position can be omitted. Use your best judgment to decide what the recruiter needs to know for this specific position.



    * As a best practice, you should include salary information on a Federal résumés. This information can be pertinent to help determine current salary requirements.
    * Update-to-date contact information is imperative so that the Human Resources Specialist is able to contact you at any point in the application process.
    * Federal résumés require up-to-date employer information (addresses, phone numbers, and supervisor names). The Human Resources Specialists use this to verify references as well as for a background investigation, if necessary for the position.


Reminders

    * Make sure to list all dated information eg., Work Experience and Education in chronological order except when it is more appropriate to list the most relevant work experience first.
    * Make sure that each job announcement is read thoroughly and that your résumé reflects experience with the required skills and knowledge. Research the agency that you are submitting résumés to and create specialized résumés for each job highlighting the reasons you are a good fit for the job, the mission, or vision of the organization.
    * Prepare cover letters to accompany your résumé. Recruiters receive many résumés and cover letters are a great way to make yourself memorable. Letters can be sent electronically through the Additional Information field in the USAJOBS résumé.

 

I have seen many posts and articles on bartering, but none give any information on how to contact a professional business for bartering. I mean, can you really call a doctor or dentist and ask them to barter with you? Maybe you could, IF you could get them to the phone... So I did some research and made up a sample letter for anyone to use (or adapt to their personal use)

Remember, you are dealing with professionals - not Joe Schmoe from across the street... 

Remember to include an updated resume - after all you are applying for a job! 

Here is a link to a sample barter contract that I found

as well as 10 things to leave off your resume  - you can't send out a professional letter with an outdated resume!

 Here are samples of CV/resumes to make sure your's looks clean, professional and up-to-date! 

 SAMPLE CONTACT LETTER

Your name

Address

City, state, zip

Phone

Email

Date

Dentist/Doctor name

Address

City , state, zip

Dear Dr. __________________

I am writing to you about first impressions. As you know, you never have a second chance to make a first impression. Your office can speak volumes to your patients. An outdated, worn look can leave patients feeling less than comfortable, and, of course, a comfortable patient is a happy patient.

Unfortunately, I do not have the advantage of providing a good first impression. Lack of insurance and health problems have created a very unhealthy smile for me.

 I would like to propose a suggestion, if I may. I would like to offer my painting services to you in exchange for your dental services.

 I have __ years of experience in the painting industry and I have confidence my painting skills will not only provide a serene environment for your patients, but give your office a unique, updated look, with no out-of-pocket expense to you. I have attached my résumé for your consideration. I can also provide pictures of samples and references as well.

I look forward to hearing from you. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Respectfully,

(Your Name)

Enclosure: Résumé

If you're unemployed (or under employed) I suggest putting your resume on as many job sites as possible. The service is free (usually) to job seekers. So, there's no out of pocket for you and it gets your information into the hands of potential employers.

The link below lists 50 of the top online sites to post your resume:

http://www.quintcareers.com/top_50_sites.html

The majority of the jobs I have gotten in my life (even now in this economy) was because I post my resumes online and employers CALLED ME to interview with them, rather than the other way around.

Many of the sites will let you just upload your resume, and others are a bit more tedious because you have to key everything yourself.

Best of luck to you in finding your dream career.

Something that you can do to help your odds of securing a job is to give the HR Dept. a call a week after you apply for the position or even show up at the place of business and inquire in person. With the high unemployment rate there is a higher ratio of applicants to positions and your application may get lost in the pile. At least it may get you reconsidered for the position. Be sure not to hound or repeatedly contact the potential employer as this is considered rude and will lessen your chances of secureing the position.

Hello, as many of you know the United States is in a recession and in the midst of the highest unemployment rate since 1996, with more than 1.1 million jobs lost over the past five months.* For the unemployed, or those preparing for a layoff, that translates into an increasingly competitive job search. So with that many unemployed people competing for a smaller number of job openings, how can today's job seekers gain the advantage to finding a job in the recession? The following ten tips are offered by ResumeMaker, a business unit of Individual Software Inc. that produces resume-writing software and online resume preparation services at www.resumemaker.com:

2. Stay Organized: Nowadays, job seekers are soliciting more companies and networking with more people to find the next job. This requires that today's candidates be extremely organized during their job search. Establish a centralized database to store information, such as: the company and interviewer's name and title; the company's products and services; the date of the job interview; and the status of interviews, thank you notes, and other follow-up tasks. Go to the dollar store and get some thank you cards and be sure to send them to the company and person that interviewed you. Cards should be mailed out between three and five days from the interview.

3. Highlight Your Accomplishments: A resume is the perfect place to boast. Clearly list key accomplishments, and the correlating impact under each job listing. Each impact statement should begin with the results of the achievement. For example, "Cut overhead costs by 25 percent by streamlining workflow and centralizing operations." Load the resume with active verbs and keyword nouns. Active verbs sell the employer and keyword nouns increase the odds of your resume being found in a resume database.

4. Consider a Functional Resume: If you are considering a career transition--as is the case for many job seekers in recently impacted fields, such as the high tech, travel and airline industries--a functional resume is needed. A functional resume highlights cross-over skills and achievements and downplays job titles and industries. This is an ideal way to show prospective employers that you're perfect for the job, even though your experience may not be directly related.

5. Broadcast Your Resume: Candidates are plentiful in today's job search, so it is important for a job seeker to get in front of a prospective employer first. A direct way is by e-mailing the resume to targeted companies and recruiters, and posting it to major career Web sites. This automatically provides job seekers with the broadest reach to any hiring manager in search of candidates. You should have your resume on MonsterBoard.com, Careerbuilders.com, and any others also check out boards that are target to your field of interest. I would also make sure your information is out there, have a perfessional Facebook accout, Twitter is a great site also you can meet and find new leads and contacts. I would join good perfessional networking sites. remember its all about networking.

6. Search Local Company Directories: With fewer jobs available but more job seekers, companies are not advertising in the classifieds; they don't need to because candidates are showing up on the company's doorsteps. Research local company directories and Web sites, and proactively contact the company for available opportunities. Also, to demonstrate further interest, the job seeker should tailor the resume to fit the job description.

7. Research and Prepare: Make a distinct impression by being the best-prepared job candidate. Research information on the company before the interview, and use this information to ask educated questions during the interview. Some employers have even interviewed candidates who were armed with a printout highlighting important facts about the company's products and services found on the company's website. 8. Follow-up Frequently: Since employers are now interviewing many job seekers for one position, it is important to regularly remind prospective employers that you are still available and interested. Reminders work well through frequent follow-up with phone calls, e-mails, and written notes.

9. Be Realistic About a Compensation Package: The high-flying days of the dot.com era are history. Have realistic expectations while negotiating a compensation package. Research the competitive salary range for the position within the specific geographic region, along with vacation time, 401K plans, and other components of a compensation package. Hold out for you're worth, but be open and flexible. And remember to always let the employer bring up the topic of compensation first.

10. Present Sample Work: Since you want to stand out from the rest of the competition, impress prospective employers by bringing a portfolio of best work samples to the interview, even if it was not requested. Compile both recent and dated samples of work to demonstrate expertise and results achieved at prior jobs. Be ready to discuss the ideas and strategy behind each sample.

"The competition is fierce when it comes to finding a job today, but job seekers who follow these tips are sure to come out on top," stated Matt Hendrickson, Senior Product Manager at Individual Software. "And with ResumeMaker's software product or new online resume preparation service, users are guaranteed to find a better job or get their money back."

Hi it's mammatries here,

Just hanging on basically,praying for the best.

I came across this Resume group,I just wanted to say for me I pretty much get stuck! I think it is more because I haven't had a traditional job in such a long time. For that matter I worry about how can I stand out enough for an employer to pick me.(this would be online of course)

Feel free to participate in this public group space.

Two easy ways to do this:

1. Add a comment or a question here - on this page... or on any other page in this space.
   
2. Or, if you want to start a separate thread - make a new page.

Either way is good - the important thing is your participation. On Aidpage, people support each other by speaking out and by paying attention to each other - as simple as that.

is seeking experienced freelance resume writers to add to their team.  You must have Microsoft Word and Internet access.  You will be creating resumes and cover letters utilizing client questionairres.  Guidelines will be provided.  You must have experience writing resumes and cover letters for U.S. clients, as well as a bachelor's degree.  You also must be a native English speaker.

Compensation is $75 for a resume and $25 for a cover letter.  If interested in this opportunity, submit the following in MS Word: your resume, your cover letter, and 4 resume examples that you have written - 2 IT/software development examples and 2 executive/V.P./director examples. Contact email: ahackett@questcareer.com  This is a telecommute opportunity.  Good luck!

A little something I read before I left for my interview today. I will post more articles here on job hunting, resume prep and anything that can contribute to your success. Please feel free to add anything here that can help others in their job search. Thanks 

P.S. If you need help with a resume, please let me know. I'll be happy to help.

Preparation is key to a successful interview

Does the idea of going to a job interview make you feel a little queasy? Many people find that it is the hardest part of the hiring process. But it doesn’t have to be. The more you prepare and practice, the more comfortable you will feel.  Increase your odds of landing the job you want by brushing up on your interview skills.

Practice makes perfect. 
It will also make you feel more confident and relaxed. So, practice your answers to common questions. Make a list of questions to ask, too. Almost all interviewers will ask if you have questions. This is a great opportunity for you to show that you have done your homework and have put some thought into your questions

The employer will be looking and listening to determine if you are a good fit. He/she will be looking for a number of different qualities, in addition to the skills that you possess. To make the best impression, dress appropriately; sell your strengths; arrive early, by about 10-15 minutes; be enthusiastic; shake hands firmly; be an active listener; sit up straight and maintain eye contact; ask questions.

Since my ex husband left me when I was two months pregnant, I have endured the trials of single motherhood. I get no child support nor any financial assistance because he signed his rights up. However, I am living at home with my parents, my son is now 4 so it has been about 5 years. I am currently in college, graduating in May with an Associates Degree in Pre-English. My plans are to continue until I complete my Bachelors Degree with a major concentration in English and a minor in History. Along with this degree I plan to receive a teaching certificate to teach secondary education. I currently write for a local newspaper, although the pay is very little. At $20.00 an article/week, that is barely enough for gas money. If anyone can tell me how to earn extra money, or receive extra money, it would be greatly appreciated. Some of the reason I need more monetary funds is: gas to commute back and forth to college (an hours drive away), my son wants to play baseball, clothes, etc. Some of the things I can do are: write any type of paper (including resumes, essays, research papers, speeches, etc), and Pray. If anyone has any advice please let me know on here or on my email at natoshab21@yahoo.com Thank you so much for reading... Natosha

I need $100 to pay for a professional resume to get a better paying job. My landlord tired of the rent being late and is ready to find a new tenant. I often have to choose between eating or paying a utility. I try to save a little money toward the new resume but it is impossible on $10/hr. I thought I would move up in the company. I've been here for 2 years developed and maintained databases, generated reports, performed data analysis, created brochures, managed mass mailing projects, developed sharepoint sites. There is no money in the budget for advancement or an increase in salary. I need to move on. I hoping a professional resume would help me land a better job.