Finding a job can be a challenging task. However, being properly prepared and knowing where to find classified ads posted by employers can help. All those seeking work should have resumes ready to submit with their applications.
Resumes are critical components. They provide potential employers with detailed, easy-to-read descriptions of work history and other relevant experiences. Typical resumes include summaries of work experiences and educational backgrounds. These documents, in addition to cover letters and application packets, provide employers with initial information about applicants.
Resumes are effective when formatted as outlines. They should contain no more than three pages. These marketing tools should be adapted to suit the employment requirements of each position. This type of document is are also referred to as a bio, and curriculum vitae (CV). Curriculum Vitae is derived from the Latin phrase meaning, the course of (my) life.
A person can lay-out her or his resume in many ways. The most common formats include reverse chronological, functional, and hybrid. The reverse chronological format is frequently used. It usually includes a person’s work and educational history, dating back 10 to 15 years. The first item on the list is the current position occupied, and the list continues, dating backwards from there. This format can help create candidate credibility by defining relevant work experiences, while displaying career growth. Ideally, there are no gaps in the work history.
The functional resume is sorted by employment duties or skill areas. This model emphasizes skills that are relevant to the position that is being sought. It communicates professional competency by emphasizing specific skills and presenting experience summaries. This format is most effective for those who are making career changes, have gaps in their work history, have varied work histories, or have little work experience. This style is preferred for positions that have specifically defined skill sets or personality traits. This can be especially effective when the skills were obtained from experiences in the distant past. Potential employers do not have to read through long chronological lists to reach the relevant data. Rather, the desired skills and traits can be quickly identified.
A hybrid resume is a blend of the chronological and functional formats. These are typically designed with the functional skill sets presented first, followed by a chronological list of employers. Since the format usually leads to redundancies, it is not as widely used as the functional or chronological models.
With the evolution of information technology, many resumes are requested in electronic formats. These online resumes can be produced in a few file formats. They include Microsoft Word documents, PDFs (portable document format), HTML (hyper-text mark-up language), and ASCII (American Standard Code for Information Interchange). Since many employers have started searching for candidates online, it’s important for electronic resumes to contain important keywords. Some large corporations request resumes be submitted by e-mail. They then utilize software which processes and sorts the applications.
In addition to the resume, a cover letter is a critical component in the application process. This letter is a brief introduction, and usually accompanies the resume. These are generally broken-down into three categories. They include the cover letter which is a response to a specific employment position, a prospecting letter which inquires about open positions, and the networking letter which requests assistance in the sender’s search for employment.
After preparing a resume and cover letter, start scanning the classified sections of print and online newspapers. Some websites are dedicated specifically to employment matters, and can be searched by region, industry, or position. Finding a job can be a challenging task, but being prepared can help facilitate the process.
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