Making Your Resume Stand Out

Featured Article & Resume Writer: Brad Karsh, CPRW
Brad's Article: "Making Your Resume Stand Out"

You've dedicated a large amount of time and effort to your job, and you've accomplished a great deal. Your friends, family, and co-workers are aware of your initiative and hard work, but when it comes to landing a new job, you need to make sure you convey your credentials to the person making the hiring decision.

With the improved job market and rise in job recruiting and hiring, it's not easy to make your resume stand out. Competition can be fierce when hundreds, even thousands, of people apply for the same jobs. With so many candidates, the hiring manager or recruiting director may only spend about fifteen seconds reading your resume.

Fortunately, if you know how to write a great resume, and you understand what the organization wants in an employee, you can... [read more]

Food for Thought: Restlessness and discontent are the first necessities for progress. —Thomas Edison

Recruiters' Confidence Stable in July: Despite a significant slowdown in GDP growth during the second quarter, recruiters do not expect companies to put the brakes on executive-level hiring in the second half of the year. In July, ExecuNet's Recruiters Confidence Index (RCI) inched higher amid strong demand for executive talent.

According to the survey of 114 executive recruiters, 71% are confident or very confident that the executive employment market will improve during the next six months —— up slightly from 70% last month.

Mixed economic reports have not shaken recruiters' confidence in the executive employment market, because their phones haven't stopped ringing. Given the rate at which corporate profits have expanded during the past year, job creation at the executive level should remain strong during the second half of 2006.

Executive recruiters' short-term outlook also remains optimistic, as 79% of recruiters said they are confident or very confident the employment market will improve in the next three months. During this period of time, the executive search industry is expecting a 24% increase in the number of six-figure job assignments received from corporate clients.

Recruiters' bullish assessment of the executive employment market is strongly supported by their own business decisions. In July, more than half of all search firms (59%) reported plans to hire additional professional staff in the next three months.

Introduced in May 2003, the Recruiters Confidence Index (RCI) is based on a monthly survey of executive recruiters conducted by ExecuNet. Independent analysis of the RCI has confirmed it is a "leading indicator" for the executive search industry. Source: ExecuNet (www.execunet.com)

Did you know? CertifiedResumeWriters.com can give you immediate access to valuable resume and cover letter articles, profile and highlights of certified resume writers, listing of resume writing services as well as access to sample resume and cover letters, and specialized recruiting and job search firms at no cost? It's all in one place. We also help you connect with industry specific professional associations to help build your professional network and can provide current job fair information. Visit us today!

Getting The Most Out of a Job Fair

Featured Article & Resume Writer: Patricia Duckers, CPRW, CERW
Patricia's Article: "Getting The Most Out of a Job Fair"

You spend days preparing for that big career fair, where you'll meet your dream employer who will throw lots of money your way because YOU are the one they've been waiting for. However, the reality is that many people who attend job fairs are left disappointed, frustrated and jobless.

Here are some pointers to help you get the most out of your job fair experience. Don't expect to get a job at a job fair. The description "job fair" is a misnomer. Typically, a recruiter at a job fair will glance over your resume, spend about five or ten minutes talking to you, and then move on. The job fair is like a dance -- it's an opportunity [read more]

Food for Thought: Destiny is no matter of chance. It is a matter of choice. It is not a thing to be waited for, it is a thing to be achieved. ——William Jennings Bryan

Salary Survey Predicts Increases: Employees in heath care, management, security, and transportation will receive the highest salary increases next year, according to a survey by the Economic Research Institute. When comparing average salaries for broad job functions between 2005 and 2006, the survey found that:

* Executive salaries increased 8.7 percent, from $99,991 in 2005 to $108,710 in 2006
* Middle management salaries increased 5.6 percent, from $67.071 to $70,826
* Professional salaries increased 4 percent, from $61,728 to $64,169
* Clerical salaries increased 2.3 percent, from $24,582 to $25,152

Source: Business Examiner Daily, August 18, 2006

Stop spending countless hours searching the web for credentialed resume writers and key resources to help make your job search successful. CertifiedResumeWriters.com provides job seekers with a database of resume writing services and is strategically designed to search by resume writing specialty, service location, and/or consultation preference. Search results will provide you with the names of certified writers, profiles and highlights, business contact info, and website links. You can email your questions to writers directly, read their articles, and view sample resumes and cover letters. Looking for recruiters specializing in a particular industry? We can help there too. Everything you need is all in one place - CertifiedResumeWriters.com!

Do You Want a Standout Resume?

Featured Article & Resume Writer: Edward Turilli, CPRW
Ed's Article: "Do You Want a Standout Resume?"

What is considered a an effective resume? An effective resume is a hard copy or an electronic document whose primary purpose is to win the approval of a potential hiring manager who has considered you a job candidate qualified to compete for a position opening. Your resume must be planned and presented in a way to clearly persuade a job recruiter to further investigate your stated and strongly implied potential strengths, related industry experience, proven value, training, education, abilities, potential growth, and best return on investment for the company. [read more]

Food for Thought: Don't compromise yourself. You are all you've got. ——Janis Joplin

Job Satisfaction Improves, But Turnover Poised To Rise
With surging job growth fueling increased voluntary turnover during the first half of 2006, a recent survey conducted by ExecuNet finds that while the number of disgruntled executives is shrinking, corporations can expect to continue struggling with retention.

According to the survey of 163 employed executives, 53% are not satisfied with their job — down from 67% in December 2005, and of those who are currently unhappy at work, 75% are planning to leave their company within the next six months.

Job satisfaction often improves during periods of economic expansion. However, the high percentage of unhappy executives who are actively looking for greener pastures presents a serious problem for companies in all industries.

The most common reasons why employed executives are not happy with their current jobs include:

1. Limited opportunity for advancement (18%);
2. Lack of challenge or personal growth (16%);
3. Unfavorable company prospects (12%);
4. Compensation (11%); and 5. Poor corporate culture (10%).

It is evident that bigger paychecks are not a panacea for voluntary turnover. In an age when the average executive tenure is less than four years, corporations that fail to provide room for the development and growth of their best talent will be constantly battling turnover. Source: ExecuNet (www.execunet.com)

Whether you're applying for a first-time "real" job as a college grad, returning to work after being off for a while, or just want to pursue a new industry all together, we want to help you get started. Gain free access to business profiles, professional highlights of certified writers along with contact information and website links by searching our database of resume writing services and learn how teaming with a credentialed resume writer can help make you stand out from the crowd! Also, check out information about latest job fairs, read more resume articles, and connect with specialized recruiting firms and professional associations.