Make Your Resume Work For You, Not Against You

Your resume is a key component in landing you the right job. A good resume gives the job seeker a voice. It tells who you are, what you have accomplished, and where you are going. Does your resume say all this about you?

Let's take a quick look at some good guidelines to follow:

1) Make sure your resume is 1 page and definitely no more than 2. (1 page is recommended)

Remember, employers are looking for a quick overview that will sell them on why they should interview you for their open position. Don't give them your life's history.

2) Tailor your resume to the specific job that you are applying for.

If you're applying for a customer service position, there is no need to include your janitorial experience. Keep the information relative to what you would be doing in the job for which you are interviewing.

3) Make sure your resume is updated (ex: contact information,etc.)

Don't forget to include your most recent work history. Don't leave gaps in employment- that raises flags for employers that may leave you out of the running for the job. Don't include your like/dislike/children's names or shoe size! These details are irrelevant unless specifically requested by the interviewer.

4) Does your resume have all the correct information?

A) Contact Detail
B) Career Objective
C) Employer History
D) Education and Training Qualifications
E) Demonstrated skills
F) Special achievements and rewards
G) References


Here are some helpful sites to build a great resume:

http://www.how-to-write-a- resume.org/
http://www.theresumebuilder.com/
http://www.razume.com/

Remember that a great resume will leave a lasting impression on an employer. So if you are not getting responses to the resume you are sending out; it might not be working for you. Consider takings your resume to a professional resume writer. Usually there is a cost involved, but often times the professional writer will design and write a resume that stands out miles above the rest!

DON'T FORGET THE TAMPA EMPLOYMENT GUIDE JOB FAIR IS FEBRUARY 9, 2010 FROM 10 AT: Museum of Science and Industry, 4801 E. Fowler Avenue, Tampa, FL 33617. We'll have resume writers to help you review your resume, free of charge!


Carly Sabato

Is It Really Private?

Today Facebook is a common thing; it seems everyone has one. However, as social networking sites such as Facebook and LinkedIn become more and more popular, your personal information becomes more readily available to anyone who is looking.

We've already discussed cleaning up your social networking sites to have them reflect a professional and responsible person. However, even if you removed all potentially risky information, you are not safe yet! Just because your personal networking it does not mean that your risky, personal, really-should-keep-to-yourself information can not be found. Your friends can contribute to employers finding out information about you that you would have rather kept to yourself.

Let's take a look at an example. You went out this weekend right? Your friend decides to post some pictures of Friday's festivities. Your page might be private, but your friend's page is not. Guess what that means? Those pictures are out in the world if the Internet where information can never be erased and is easily accessible to anyone who may be searching.

So what are your options? Erase your page? It's an option, but you can make your profile help you as long as it says the right thing. Here are some tips to help you out:

Tips to Privacy:

1) Be sure to let your friends know that you do not want to be tagged in pictures that they post and that you would prefer that the pictures of you not be posted at all.

2) Let your friends know that you would not like to talk about personal information via posts on your page.

3) Let your friends know why. Tell everyone you know you are on the hunt for a job and that you do not want your social site to reflect poorly against you. This is also an excellent networking tool! You never know who is looking to hire someone with your qualifications and experience, so be sure to tell everyone you know what type of position you are looking for.

Remember that anything that is posted to the Internet is out there for anyone to see. Keep your image professional and as wholesome as possible. If you question whether it is inappropriate for a potential employer to see it, it's too risky to post.

Carly Sabato