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Table of Contents
About This Book Conventions Used in This Book Foolish Assumptions How This Book Is Organized Part I: Visiting the World of Resumes, Today and Tomorrow Part II: Customizing Resumes: Your Many Faces in Many Places Part III: Resume Basics That Wow ’Em Every Time Part IV: Bringing It All Together: Sample Resumes Part V: The Part of Tens Icons Used in This Book Where to Go from Here
Part I: Visiting the World of Resumes, Today and Tomorrow Part II: Customizing Resumes: Your Many Faces in Many Places Part III: Resume Basics That Wow ’Em Every Time Part IV: Bringing It All Together: Sample Resumes Part V: The Part of Tens
Chapter 1: Digital Age Changes Job Chase Resumes Are Here to Stay Keeping Up with Resume Times The targeted resume rules Unfit resumes are zapped Tried-and-true techniques remain Technologies Facilitate Job Search Social networking scoops jobs Mobile’s on the move Quick-change process customizes content Resumes find digital docks Bios gain new importance “YourName.com” becomes vital Chapter 2: Finding Your Next Job in the Wide World of Social Media The Sweeping Reach of Social Networking Eyeing the Big Three of Social Networking Job Search LinkedIn keeps focus on professionals Facebook hands adults important search tools Twitter opens quick, slick paths to employers Making Sure Online Profiles Capture Your Best Side Let’s hear it for profiles! Not all profiles should be cheered Great tips for great profiles Scope Out Top Profile Samples Put Your Best Face Forward Chapter 3: Going Mobile: Resumes on Smartphones and Tablets Earning New Rewards with Mobile Search Knowing When to Stick to Home Computer Searches Powering a Mobile Search Choose job-search apps wisely Watch type size and font Empower RSS to send job news Stay in the running with a rehearsed salary strategy Pick your work site with GPS Score with proven keywords Avoiding Mobile Job-Search Mistakes Thinking technology overcomes poor resume quality Going on too long when going mobile Looking naïve in following up Mobile: From Novelty to Necessity Chapter 4: Familiar Search Tools That Haven’t Gone Away Plain-Text Resumes Stay on the Scene E-Forms: Fill in the Blankety-Blanks Scannable Resumes Get Used in a Pinch Online Screening Guards the Employment Door Sample components of online screening Pros and cons of online screening Can your resume be turned away? Blogs Give a Global Brand RSS Delivers Job Alerts on Your Time Resume Blasting: A Really Bad Idea Privacy and identity theft problems Overexposure to recruiters Job Search Technology Is Here to Stay Chapter 5: Do Due Diligence, Ditch Digital Dirt Online Life Is an Open Book A look at the dark side A look at the bright side Why Clean Up Your Act Restore Your Online Reputation Keep Watch on Your Online Reputation Staying out of trouble online Looking like a champ online Look Who’s Talking . . . About You
Resumes Are Here to Stay Keeping Up with Resume Times The targeted resume rules Unfit resumes are zapped Tried-and-true techniques remain Technologies Facilitate Job Search Social networking scoops jobs Mobile’s on the move Quick-change process customizes content Resumes find digital docks Bios gain new importance “YourName.com” becomes vital
The targeted resume rules Unfit resumes are zapped Tried-and-true techniques remain
Social networking scoops jobs Mobile’s on the move Quick-change process customizes content Resumes find digital docks Bios gain new importance “YourName.com” becomes vital
The Sweeping Reach of Social Networking Eyeing the Big Three of Social Networking Job Search LinkedIn keeps focus on professionals Facebook hands adults important search tools Twitter opens quick, slick paths to employers Making Sure Online Profiles Capture Your Best Side Let’s hear it for profiles! Not all profiles should be cheered Great tips for great profiles Scope Out Top Profile Samples Put Your Best Face Forward
LinkedIn keeps focus on professionals Facebook hands adults important search tools Twitter opens quick, slick paths to employers
Let’s hear it for profiles! Not all profiles should be cheered Great tips for great profiles
Earning New Rewards with Mobile Search Knowing When to Stick to Home Computer Searches Powering a Mobile Search Choose job-search apps wisely Watch type size and font Empower RSS to send job news Stay in the running with a rehearsed salary strategy Pick your work site with GPS Score with proven keywords Avoiding Mobile Job-Search Mistakes Thinking technology overcomes poor resume quality Going on too long when going mobile Looking naïve in following up Mobile: From Novelty to Necessity
Choose job-search apps wisely Watch type size and font Empower RSS to send job news Stay in the running with a rehearsed salary strategy Pick your work site with GPS Score with proven keywords
Thinking technology overcomes poor resume quality Going on too long when going mobile Looking naïve in following up
Plain-Text Resumes Stay on the Scene E-Forms: Fill in the Blankety-Blanks Scannable Resumes Get Used in a Pinch Online Screening Guards the Employment Door Sample components of online screening Pros and cons of online screening Can your resume be turned away? Blogs Give a Global Brand RSS Delivers Job Alerts on Your Time Resume Blasting: A Really Bad Idea Privacy and identity theft problems Overexposure to recruiters Job Search Technology Is Here to Stay
Sample components of online screening Pros and cons of online screening Can your resume be turned away?
Privacy and identity theft problems Overexposure to recruiters
Online Life Is an Open Book A look at the dark side A look at the bright side Why Clean Up Your Act Restore Your Online Reputation Keep Watch on Your Online Reputation Staying out of trouble online Looking like a champ online Look Who’s Talking . . . About You
A look at the dark side A look at the bright side
Staying out of trouble online Looking like a champ online
Chapter 6: Target! The Generic Resume Has Nearly Dropped Dead Targeted Resumes Conquer Generics Welcoming a Custom Lite Approach Design-based approach: Two columns Words-based approach: Plug and Play Plug and Play Resumes in Five Easy Steps Step 1: Create a core resume Step 2: Create information modules Step 3: Create a starter resume Step 4: Research target job positions Step 5: Create a targeted resume Plug and Play Resume Sketches Allen’s backstory Allen’s starter resume Spinoff 1: Permanent substitute teacher Spinoff 2: Training coordinator Spinoff 3: Background investigator Spinoff 4: Contract specialist Spinoff 5: Park guide When Only Full Custom Resumes Will Work Step 1: Prepare your core resume Step 2: Research requirements of the job Step 3: Customize your resume Is Targeting Your Resume Really Necessary? Chapter 7: Chart a Cool Course to the Right Jobs Different Docs for Digital Docks: Sending Your Resume in the Right Tech Form Resume question of the decade Essential new chart answers question of the decade Job Boards Are Alive and Changing Basic job board categories A snapshot of job-boards evolution Forecasting job boards’ future Hunting on Company Web Sites Fast-Forwarding: Job Search Engines Using job search engines Meeting job search engines Preventing Resume Black Holes Forget chasing every job Hit bull’s-eye with your resume Move fast, follow guidelines Neutralize chilling information Enhance the power of keywords Go directly to the decider Find an inside advocate Keep on keepin’ on Seeking and Finding Is Easier Than Ever Chapter 8: Content Makes the OnTarget Difference The Parts of Your Resume Leading with Contact Information Hooking the Reader with Summary or Objective Choosing an objective Opting for a summary Making Education, Experience, Skills, and Competencies Work for You Education Experience Skills Competencies A few examples of core competencies Including competencies in your resumes Gaining Extra Points Activities Organizations Honors and awards Certifications Licenses Endorsements Shaping Your Content on Application Forms Content to Omit: Your Salary Story Accomplishments Are Your Content Aces
Targeted Resumes Conquer Generics Welcoming a Custom Lite Approach Design-based approach: Two columns Words-based approach: Plug and Play Plug and Play Resumes in Five Easy Steps Step 1: Create a core resume Step 2: Create information modules Step 3: Create a starter resume Step 4: Research target job positions Step 5: Create a targeted resume Plug and Play Resume Sketches Allen’s backstory Allen’s starter resume Spinoff 1: Permanent substitute teacher Spinoff 2: Training coordinator Spinoff 3: Background investigator Spinoff 4: Contract specialist Spinoff 5: Park guide When Only Full Custom Resumes Will Work Step 1: Prepare your core resume Step 2: Research requirements of the job Step 3: Customize your resume Is Targeting Your Resume Really Necessary?
Design-based approach: Two columns Words-based approach: Plug and Play
Step 1: Create a core resume Step 2: Create information modules Step 3: Create a starter resume Step 4: Research target job positions Step 5: Create a targeted resume
Allen’s backstory Allen’s starter resume Spinoff 1: Permanent substitute teacher Spinoff 2: Training coordinator Spinoff 3: Background investigator Spinoff 4: Contract specialist Spinoff 5: Park guide
Step 1: Prepare your core resume Step 2: Research requirements of the job Step 3: Customize your resume
Different Docs for Digital Docks: Sending Your Resume in the Right Tech Form Resume question of the decade Essential new chart answers question of the decade Job Boards Are Alive and Changing Basic job board categories A snapshot of job-boards evolution Forecasting job boards’ future Hunting on Company Web Sites Fast-Forwarding: Job Search Engines Using job search engines Meeting job search engines Preventing Resume Black Holes Forget chasing every job Hit bull’s-eye with your resume Move fast, follow guidelines Neutralize chilling information Enhance the power of keywords Go directly to the decider Find an inside advocate Keep on keepin’ on Seeking and Finding Is Easier Than Ever
Resume question of the decade Essential new chart answers question of the decade
Basic job board categories A snapshot of job-boards evolution Forecasting job boards’ future
Using job search engines Meeting job search engines
Forget chasing every job Hit bull’s-eye with your resume Move fast, follow guidelines Neutralize chilling information Enhance the power of keywords Go directly to the decider Find an inside advocate Keep on keepin’ on
The Parts of Your Resume Leading with Contact Information Hooking the Reader with Summary or Objective Choosing an objective Opting for a summary Making Education, Experience, Skills, and Competencies Work for You Education Experience Skills Competencies A few examples of core competencies Including competencies in your resumes Gaining Extra Points Activities Organizations Honors and awards Certifications Licenses Endorsements Shaping Your Content on Application Forms Content to Omit: Your Salary Story Accomplishments Are Your Content Aces
Choosing an objective Opting for a summary
Education Experience Skills Competencies A few examples of core competencies Including competencies in your resumes
Activities Organizations Honors and awards Certifications Licenses Endorsements
Chapter 9: Creating Your Best Resume “Telling It” Mutes; “Selling It” Sings Focus Your Resume Resume Formats Make a Difference Reverse Chronological Format Strengths and weaknesses Who should use this format and who should think twice Creating a reverse chronological resume Functional Format Strengths and weaknesses Who should use this format and who should think twice Creating a functional resume Hybrid Format Strengths and weaknesses Who should use this format and who should think twice Creating a hybrid resume Professional Format Strengths and weaknesses Who should use this format and who should think twice Creating a professional resume Academic Curriculum Vitae Strengths and weaknesses Who should use this format and who should think twice Creating an academic curriculum vitae International Curriculum Vitae Format Strengths and weaknesses Who should use this format and who should think twice Creating an international curriculum vitae Other Resume Presentations Resume letters Portfolios Choose What Works for You Chapter 10: Wow Words Work Wonders Wow Words Can Bring Good News Wow words for administration and management Wow words for communications and creativity Wow words for sales and persuasion Wow words for technical ability Wow words for office support Wow words for teaching Wow words for research and analysis Wow words for helping and caregiving Wow words for financial management Wow words for many skills Keywords Are Recruiters’ Key to Finding You Keywords for administration and management Keywords for banking Keywords for customer service Keywords for information technology Keywords for manufacturing Keywords for human resources Where to Find Keywords How to Use Keywords Get a Grip on Grammar A Few Words about Spelling Words Sell Your Story Chapter 11: Refine Your Design for Great Looks Crafting Resumes That Resonate Paper selection Consistency, consistency, consistency When three’s not a crowd Come on, break it up! Open spaces Typefaces and fonts A few more tips on appearance Checking out a resume makeover Boost Visibility with Resume Architecture Template shell with modern appeal Template shell for intern career fair Template shell for dash without flash Template shell showing “it’s a match!” Design That Showcases Your Words Chapter 12: Passages: Resumes for Your Life’s Changing Phases Scoring Big as a Recent Graduate Quick take: Rookie strengths Quick take: Rookie soft spots Tips for recent graduates Gaffes common to new graduates Grabbing Good Jobs as a Baby Boomer Quick take: Boomer strengths Quick take: Boomer soft spots Tips for baby boomers Taking a lower-level job Gaffes common to boomers Winning Interviews As a New Civilian Quick take: Transitioning military strengths Quick take: Transitioning military soft spots Tips for new civilians Get the message about milspeak Changing Course with an OnTarget Resume Chapter 13: Successful Solutions to Resume Problems Too Much Experience Too many qualifications or ageism? Too much experience in one job Too Long Gone: For Women Only Sifting through your past Using professional terms Knowing the score Job Seekers with Disabilities Deciding whether to disclose a disability Explaining gaps in work history Asking for special equipment When Demotion Strikes Gaps in Your Record Too Many Layoffs That Aren’t Your Fault Explaining Mergers and Acquisitions Here a Job, There a Job, Everywhere a Job, Job Overcoming a job-hopping image Cleaning out your job closet When Substance Abuse Is the Problem A Bad Credit Rap Ex-Offenders Job Hunting Negative info kills your chances Avoid the chronological format Present prison experience in nonprison terms Get help with job search moves Look for Ways to Scoot Past Resume Blocks
“Telling It” Mutes; “Selling It” Sings Focus Your Resume Resume Formats Make a Difference Reverse Chronological Format Strengths and weaknesses Who should use this format and who should think twice Creating a reverse chronological resume Functional Format Strengths and weaknesses Who should use this format and who should think twice Creating a functional resume Hybrid Format Strengths and weaknesses Who should use this format and who should think twice Creating a hybrid resume Professional Format Strengths and weaknesses Who should use this format and who should think twice Creating a professional resume Academic Curriculum Vitae Strengths and weaknesses Who should use this format and who should think twice Creating an academic curriculum vitae International Curriculum Vitae Format Strengths and weaknesses Who should use this format and who should think twice Creating an international curriculum vitae Other Resume Presentations Resume letters Portfolios Choose What Works for You
Strengths and weaknesses Who should use this format and who should think twice Creating a reverse chronological resume
Strengths and weaknesses Who should use this format and who should think twice Creating a functional resume
Strengths and weaknesses Who should use this format and who should think twice Creating a hybrid resume
Strengths and weaknesses Who should use this format and who should think twice Creating a professional resume
Strengths and weaknesses Who should use this format and who should think twice Creating an academic curriculum vitae
Strengths and weaknesses Who should use this format and who should think twice Creating an international curriculum vitae
Resume letters Portfolios
Wow Words Can Bring Good News Wow words for administration and management Wow words for communications and creativity Wow words for sales and persuasion Wow words for technical ability Wow words for office support Wow words for teaching Wow words for research and analysis Wow words for helping and caregiving Wow words for financial management Wow words for many skills Keywords Are Recruiters’ Key to Finding You Keywords for administration and management Keywords for banking Keywords for customer service Keywords for information technology Keywords for manufacturing Keywords for human resources Where to Find Keywords How to Use Keywords Get a Grip on Grammar A Few Words about Spelling Words Sell Your Story
Wow words for administration and management Wow words for communications and creativity Wow words for sales and persuasion Wow words for technical ability Wow words for office support Wow words for teaching Wow words for research and analysis Wow words for helping and caregiving Wow words for financial management Wow words for many skills
Keywords for administration and management Keywords for banking Keywords for customer service Keywords for information technology Keywords for manufacturing Keywords for human resources
Crafting Resumes That Resonate Paper selection Consistency, consistency, consistency When three’s not a crowd Come on, break it up! Open spaces Typefaces and fonts A few more tips on appearance Checking out a resume makeover Boost Visibility with Resume Architecture Template shell with modern appeal Template shell for intern career fair Template shell for dash without flash Template shell showing “it’s a match!” Design That Showcases Your Words
Paper selection Consistency, consistency, consistency When three’s not a crowd Come on, break it up! Open spaces Typefaces and fonts A few more tips on appearance Checking out a resume makeover
Template shell with modern appeal Template shell for intern career fair Template shell for dash without flash Template shell showing “it’s a match!”
Scoring Big as a Recent Graduate Quick take: Rookie strengths Quick take: Rookie soft spots Tips for recent graduates Gaffes common to new graduates Grabbing Good Jobs as a Baby Boomer Quick take: Boomer strengths Quick take: Boomer soft spots Tips for baby boomers Taking a lower-level job Gaffes common to boomers Winning Interviews As a New Civilian Quick take: Transitioning military strengths Quick take: Transitioning military soft spots Tips for new civilians Get the message about milspeak Changing Course with an OnTarget Resume
Quick take: Rookie strengths Quick take: Rookie soft spots Tips for recent graduates Gaffes common to new graduates
Quick take: Boomer strengths Quick take: Boomer soft spots Tips for baby boomers Taking a lower-level job Gaffes common to boomers
Quick take: Transitioning military strengths Quick take: Transitioning military soft spots Tips for new civilians Get the message about milspeak
Too Much Experience Too many qualifications or ageism? Too much experience in one job Too Long Gone: For Women Only Sifting through your past Using professional terms Knowing the score Job Seekers with Disabilities Deciding whether to disclose a disability Explaining gaps in work history Asking for special equipment When Demotion Strikes Gaps in Your Record Too Many Layoffs That Aren’t Your Fault Explaining Mergers and Acquisitions Here a Job, There a Job, Everywhere a Job, Job Overcoming a job-hopping image Cleaning out your job closet When Substance Abuse Is the Problem A Bad Credit Rap Ex-Offenders Job Hunting Negative info kills your chances Avoid the chronological format Present prison experience in nonprison terms Get help with job search moves Look for Ways to Scoot Past Resume Blocks
Too many qualifications or ageism? Too much experience in one job
Sifting through your past Using professional terms Knowing the score
Deciding whether to disclose a disability Explaining gaps in work history Asking for special equipment
Overcoming a job-hopping image Cleaning out your job closet
Negative info kills your chances Avoid the chronological format Present prison experience in nonprison terms Get help with job search moves
Chapter 14: A Sampling of OnTarget Resumes by Industry and Career Field Chapter 15: A Sampling of OnTarget Resumes by Experience Level and Age Chapter 16: A Sampling of OnTarget Resumes for Special Circumstances Chapter 17: A Sampling of Extreme Resume Makeovers
Chapter 18: Ten (x3) Ways to Prove Your Claims Say It with Numbers Say It with Percentages Say It with Dollar Amounts Chapter 19: Ten Ways to Improve Your Resume Match Your Resume to the Job Use Bulleted Style for Easy Reading Discover Art of Lost Articles Sell, Don’t Tell Show Off Your Assets Make Sure Your Words Play Well Together Reach Out with Strength Trash a Wimpy Objective Check the Horse’s Mouth Erase the “Leave-Outs” Chapter 20: Ten Tips for Choosing Professional Resume Help Choose a Resume Writing Service, Not a Clerical Service Ask Around for a Great Resume Pro Request a Free Initial Consultation Watch Out for Overuse of Forms Look for a Fair Price Check Out Samples Take Aim Consider a Certified Resume Writer Remember That Design Counts Know That a Cheap Resume Is No Bargain Chapter 21: Your Ten-Point Resume Checklist Tit for Tat Image and Focus Format and Style Accomplishments and Skills Language and Expressions Content and Omissions Length and Common Sense Social Media and Other New Things Sticky Points and Sugarcoating Proofreading and More Proofreading Resume Power in the Brave New World of Job Chasing Cheat Sheet
Say It with Numbers Say It with Percentages Say It with Dollar Amounts
Match Your Resume to the Job Use Bulleted Style for Easy Reading Discover Art of Lost Articles Sell, Don’t Tell Show Off Your Assets Make Sure Your Words Play Well Together Reach Out with Strength Trash a Wimpy Objective Check the Horse’s Mouth Erase the “Leave-Outs”
Choose a Resume Writing Service, Not a Clerical Service Ask Around for a Great Resume Pro Request a Free Initial Consultation Watch Out for Overuse of Forms Look for a Fair Price Check Out Samples Take Aim Consider a Certified Resume Writer Remember That Design Counts Know That a Cheap Resume Is No Bargain
Tit for Tat Image and Focus Format and Style Accomplishments and Skills Language and Expressions Content and Omissions Length and Common Sense Social Media and Other New Things Sticky Points and Sugarcoating Proofreading and More Proofreading Resume Power in the Brave New World of Job Chasing