If you want employers and recruiters to locate your resume easily, the use of keywords is extremely important. When most companies conduct a search, they do so by typing relevant keywords into search engines like Yahoo, MSN, ASK, and Google. The more targeted your resume keywords are, the higher the chances that your resume will appear in an employer’s or recruiter’s search results.

A recruiter will know everything about using complicated variations of keywords to locate different resumes on the Internet. They also make use of high tech tools within candidate tracking software, which searches resumes for crucial keywords that match the specification for a particular job. Below is a list of tips on how to know which keywords you need to use.

• Check out Webpages on the Company’s Website: A large amount of blogs and websites contain many significant keywords that you could use within your resume, so take the time to look for them. Look for words that may be repeated in different parts of the text. You should also check out articles, reviews of the company and company profiles.

• Make Use of Keyword Tools: You can use the AdWords Tool from Google or other SEO information sites.  The tools on these sites will show the number of times a keyword phrase or keyword was searched for within the month and the number of times that advertisers have placed a bid on those keywords. Once you have gained access, enter a key phrase or keyword related to the job you want, the company name, your profession, and the job description. Have a look at the results and see which keyword phrases and keywords were searched for the most. You can also type these phrases into your search bar on Google or Yahoo and it will tell you how many times these phrases or words were searched on the Internet that day.

• Look at Other Posted Resumes: Another way to discover great keywords is to look at resumes that are similar to yours. Try and find professional resumes that represent your skills, industry, and experience. If you want to pursue something within another position or industry, you will need to conduct a search for resumes relevant to that field. You can, again use tools like the Google keyword tool to see which keywords have been searched for the most. Enter the primary keyword phrase or keyword for the skills, niche and experience you have, then add “job – jobs – resume – opportunity – submit”, and click on search.  You may have to try your query several different ways, adding or subtracting words, until it shows you what you are looking for.  You can then add the popular ones to your resume.

• Read Advertisements and Job Ads: If you take a look around the Internet, you will easily be able to find great keywords in the job ads. You can also look for online newspapers, and check out the help wanted sections.

• Read other Resumes before Posting: There are multiple places to post resumes on the Internet. Check some of them out. Read some of the resumes, or some of the ads for jobs relating to your expertise. It will be easy to spot keywords, because they will be repeated.
 

How to Include the Right Resume Keywords was written by Candace. You can visit her blog at Canadian Resume Writing Service

An increasing number of people are finding themselves in the unfortunate position of being out of work. The stakes are high in the job market with dozens of people chasing every vacant position. It can be difficult to know the best approach to take in order to secure employment. The social networking site Twitter may not be something you would immediately think of when it comes to job hunting; however, more and more people are discovering that social networks like Twitter can be a useful tool when it comes to looking for a job.

How Twitter works: Twitter allows users to post short updates to show what they are doing on a day-to-day basis.  Each post you make is called a “Tweet” and other users can “follow” you on the site. This means that every time you post and update on the site, your followers will receive that update on their computer or their cell phone. You, in turn, can follow other people who are of interest to you, and find out what they’re up to.

How Twitter can help you find a job: All kinds of people use Twitter, including CEO’s, managers, and agency recruiters to top-level executives. Twitter offers you a golden opportunity to network with these people informally. By following people you will be able to find out about meetings they’ve attended, and what their opinion is on a range of relevant issues. Some people even use Twitter to post advertisements for products, websites and job openings. You’ll also have the ideal platform to showcase your own personal qualities and expertise and to begin to develop links with key players in your chosen industry.

Getting started: If you’re thinking of using Twitter to help you in your quest for a new job, here are some tips to get you started:

1. Set up an account: You’ll need to set up a Twitter account in order to use the site. It’s a good idea to choose a username that will sound professional and includes a connection to the industry that you’re interested in (e.g. WebDesignerJohn). This will make you easier to remember, improve your credibility and immediately communicate what your area of expertise is.

2. Display your personal profile: Twitter allows you space to display a personal profile. It’s worthwhile to spend some time getting this just right as it’s the first thing people will read if they’re interested in you. Try to keep your profile information as professional as possible. If you have your own website or some other vehicle for people to view samples of your work, include this in your profile.

3. Post: Post some Tweets to start with, but don’t go overboard. Quality is more important than quantity. You will pick up followers faster than you can imagine. Other “Tweeters” will refer friends and followers to your profile.

4. Find Key People: Choose some key people that you want to follow and you’ll find that this in turn will lead you to others. Don’t be put off by the notion that someone is “too important” to be interested in you. You’ll be surprised at how many of the people you follow end up following you!

5. Use the Twitter search tools: You can use this tool to find people to follow. However, be careful not to end up following 10 times as many people as are following you. This can diminish the air of professionalism that you are trying to create. You will also get notifications when someone new starts following you. It is a good idea to look at their profile to see if there is a benefit to following them.

How to Use Twitter to Find a Job was written by Candace. You can visit her blog at Canadian Resume Writing Service

With the job market as competitive as ever, many people are turning to recruiters to help them secure the right job. But can working with a recruiter really make a difference? Some people find it easier to secure a job this way.

The Benefits of Working with a Recruiter
There are many benefits to working with a recruiter as part of your job search strategy:

• Recruiters Have the Most Recent Listings: One of the most important advantages to involving a recruiter is that in many cases, the recruiter will have information on jobs before they’ve even been advertised. Some companies will contact recruiters before they place an ad. This head start can make a huge difference in a competitive job market.

• Recruiters Specialize: You’ll want to work with a recruiter who specializes in the industry you are interested in. Their existing contacts and background knowledge can be invaluable.

• They Know the Interview: A good recruiter will be able to offer you assistance in preparing for your interview and will most likely have a good idea what kind of questions you’ll be asked.

• Companies Hire Them: Very often, companies choose recruiters to assist them in selecting new staff because it reduces their workload significantly. Rather than wasting their time reading through 200 resumes to discover that 180 candidates do not have the qualifications or experience, they hire a recruiter to do this for them. The advantage for you lies in a recruiter putting you forward as a suitable candidate for a job. The company will then know that you have the appropriate skills and experience for the position. For this reason, applicants who have come for an interview via a recruiter are often much more highly regarded at the outset.

• Recruiters Will Save You Time and Effort: Rather than sifting through endless pages of unsuitable jobs to find only a couple that match your skill-set, your recruiter will only match you with posts for which you are best suited.

Getting the Best Out of Your Recruiter
If you’re convinced that using a recruiter is the best way forward for you, here are some tips on how to get the best out of the process:
• Be Specific: Being very precise with your recruiter about what type of job you’re looking for will save you a lot of time in the long run. It’s a good idea to tell your recruiter what you don’t want, as well as what you do.

• Follow up on All Inquiries: If you’ve made an inquiry about a job and haven’t heard anything within 5-7 days, don’t be afraid to call and ask. You may find that some recruiters don’t return inquiries if they don’t feel you’re suitable for a particular job. Don’t allow this to discourage you. If they’re really busy, chances are they’re working hard to find you something that is suitable.

• Never Pay Out any Money to a Recruiter: All costs should be met by the company, rather than by you.

• Have References Ready: Be ready to provide references or samples of your work. Your recruiter may request these to forward to a prospective employer.

• Use Multiple Recruiters: Think about involving more than one recruiter in your job search. Your recruiter will understand that finding the right job in the shortest time period is your main priority. They won’t be offended!

Working With a Job Recruiter was written by Candace. You can visit her blog at Canadian Resume Writing Service

When you are getting ready to start your employment search, you need a good resume to send to prospective employers. A good resume can open the door to that first and second interview, and to the position you are trying to get. There are different ways to write your resume. Some methods work better than others, so follow these rules to guarantee better results.

Organize
Before you start your resume, make a list of what you think should be in it. Put all of these items into categories like attributes, education, experience, achievements, and awards or acknowledgments.

The Presentation of Your Resume
How your resume looks, how it is organized and how easy it is to read are important factors. Don’t use to many italics or colors as these could draw the eyes away from important details; however, it is a great idea to use these options sparingly to draw attention to important details. Use headers in bold, use a traditional font, and use bullet points instead of long drawn out paragraphs. Try to keep the resume down to no more than two pages. A one page resume that is easy to read is the best option. That is sometimes hard to do, though, if you have a long history of employment and accomplishments.

It Should Apply to the Job
Don’t make a generic resume. Use a template that you can change to adhere to whatever position you are applying for. By doing this you can move items around, add to or subtract from subjects to bring the skills and attributes that apply toward the specific position to the attention of the employer.

Pay Attention to Details
When listing your skills, experience and education, be detailed. Include awards, certificates, and acknowledgements from previous employers. Include specific details on how your skills, education and experience were an advantage to your prior position. You can also include other areas of your life where you were able to use this acquired knowledge to help, such as community activities or organizations, volunteer programs and church activities. This shows a constant use of your abilities.

Relevant Information
Keep everything precise and detailed, but not long winded. You want the resume to be easily read and yet still have all of your achievements, work experience, education and skills listed.

Get Other’s Opinions
When you have the resume all put together, get someone you know, preferably in the professional field to read it over and make any suggestions on changes that might need to be made. Professionals who have done hiring before, or hiring coaches make the best choice for an unbiased opinion of your resume.

How to Get the Best Resume Results was written by Candace. You can visit her blog at Canadian Resume Writing Service

When you sit down to write your resume, the blank page staring back at you can be very intimidating, and you start to wonder if you will be able to come up with enough information about yourself. This is especially true when it comes to writing an Internship Resume.

It is important that you understand that internships require a different type of resume than the one you would use when applying for a traditional job. When drafting an internship resume, you need to stay focused on the fact that your goal is to get an internship that will make it easier to become employed in your career field when you have finished your education. When you are creating an internship resume, you should make sure that it is in chronological order, and then you can move onto the content itself.

Drafting Your Career Objective: 
A career objective should be included in your internship resume. The difference between the two career objectives is that your objective for your internship is to gain experience and knowledge, not to make more money or improve your work environment.  When you draft your career objective, it is important that you write it in such a way that the person who is reading it can understand how the internship would enhance your education. You also want to show them how the internship will increase your value when you are ready to get a full time job in your field. You want to make it clear that you will take the things you learn from your internship and use them in your professional life.

Focus on Your Education:
Another thing that sets an internship resume apart from a professional resume is your employment history. When someone is looking for an intern, they are not looking for someone with a long and impressive employment history. They are interested in looking for someone who is enthusiastic about learning and will be an asset.  This means that when you are putting together your internship resume, you want to focus mainly on your academic achievements.

When you are writing your resume, you don’t want to simply list the classes you have taken, or the degrees you have obtained. You should point out the classes you have taken that make you the perfect candidate for the internship. You also need to make sure that you have mentioned what your major is, and how far you are from completing your college education.

Remember to Include Your Skills and Qualifications:
Just because you want to highlight your education, you shouldn’t ignore your qualifications.  You should make sure you include your qualifications and skills on your internship resume, but be sure to prioritize. Your strongest skills should be listed near the top. When you are listing your qualifications, make sure that you list the ones that are needed for the job you are trying to get, don’t just list the qualifications that you are the most proud of.

After you have written your internship resume, have someone look over it and provide you with feedback. One last thing to keep in mind is that resumes should be simple and easy to read. Don’t risk an opportunity by providing an internship resume that is full of unnecessary or irrelevant information.

How to Write an Internship Resume was written by Candace. You can visit her blog at Canadian Resume Writing Service

When you are planning your job search, you need to approach it as though it is a marketing campaign. The hiring managers, company owners, board of directors, recruiters, etc. are the buyers and you are the actual product. As a product, you have to clearly articulate your value proposition – essentially your advertisement. The rate of success for your job search lays in your ability to fine tune your value proposition. So what exactly is your value proposition? It is the unique benefit that you can offer an organization that matches their exact needs.

You may be thinking that all individuals that hold positions like yourself basically perform the same duties and so how will you come up with unique talents that set you apart. The key to finding what separates you from the competition is discerning what you do best. Oftentimes, what you do naturally may be a struggle for others. For example, let’s say you are a teacher and excel at classroom management, lesson planning, or individual tutoring. Remember that many others might consider these areas of weakness. Once you discover your value proposition, you’ve unleashed your marketing advantage.

A great way to uncover your biggest accomplishments and strengths is to use the C.A.R. (Challenge, Action, and Result) method. By going through your accomplishments and discovering the challenges you faced, the actions you took to fix them, and the ending result of your efforts, you will get a better understanding of your strengths and, thus, your brand.

When targeting your applications to specific job postings, you can use your value proposition to clearly communicate what you can accomplish for the organization. Study their job postings and company websites to uncover their needs and company culture. Once you’ve discovered their areas of focus and need, you can position your resume, cover letter, and other career documents to match those needs. And, of course you would further expand on this during the job interview. Demonstrating to hiring authorities how you will solve their problems and bring value to the organization is definitely the best way you can position your application which is critical to job search success.

Your value proposition does not end here. You will carry it with you throughout the entire job search process as your marketing strategy. Communicate your value proposition in your LinkedIn profile and while you network.

You need to keep refining it all the time, based on current circumstances, to make sure it is obtaining the magical question, “Tell me more.” If it doesn’t entice the listener, go back and refine. Brand statements are a work in progress and are not engraved in stone. You may keep changing it, because you will continue to have more experiences and accomplishments. Incorporate them into your brand, if relevant.

Once you land that all important job interview, be ready to further discuss your accomplishments and strengths in great detail.

So remember, a well thought-out brand will:

• Create a strong differential between you and your competition
• Increase not only the quantity, but the quality of  your prospective job search leads
• Gain interest from those hiring and position you as a desirable candidate
• Assist you in enhancing your career documents and tools to improve your job search

Your job search is not the time to under-sell yourself or be modest. Your positive track record and ability to bring value to organizations will override any possible concerns an employer may have about your application. So fine tune your value proposition and keep it consistent throughout your job search. It will become your brand and will end up getting you hired because organizations want to know what you can do for them, not the other way around.

The Most Important Facet of Your Job Search Plan was written by Candace. You can visit her blog at Canadian Resume Writing Service

You wrote a strong resume and had a great interview. Now you have to wait for the company’s response. However there is one more thing you should do in this process – write a thank you letter. Many people disregard this action as old fashioned and unnecessary, but some employers are greatly impressed by this. They are more likely to contact the person who keeps contact with them, and shows an interest in getting the position.

In our technological and fast-paced society, this old-fashioned courtesy is often overlooked, but its importance cannot be underestimated. Here are a few tips on composing and sending a thank you letter.

• Keep it simple:  Limit your thank you letter to one page. Employers are busy and don’t have time to read a long, drawn out document.

• Talk about the interview:  Refer to important details of your discussion during the interview. This shows you were paying attention.  Don’t forget to mention, politely of course, why you feel you are most qualified for the position.

• Be prompt:  You should send your thank you letter right after your interview.  A thank you letter should be received within 48 hours. This will show the employer what kind of person you are and show that you are really interested in attaining the job.

• Be Professional: Although it used to be considered inappropriate to send a thank you letter by e-mail, if this was your way of contacting the employer, then you can send the thank you letter the same way. In this day and age, many people will read their e-mail before opening their regular mail.  If you are mailing your thank you letter, do it on plain white paper. Make it short, polite and to the point.

• Mention your skills and experience briefly:  Make sure you re-emphasize your skills to reassure them of any doubts they may have about your ability to get the job done.

• Add extras:  If you forgot to mention a given quality you have, and it did not come up in the interview, make sure you mention it in your thank you letter.

• Be yourself: Each person is unique and individual.  As with everything in life, when you are yourself you will come across as more confident and honest. When you dedicate yourself to putting in the extra effort in the interview process, you are sending the message that you are willing to go the extra mile.

• Contact information:  Make sure you provide all of your contact information, such as your email, home and cell numbers.  This will encourage the prospective employer to get in touch with you.

• Check it over: Once you have written your thank you letter make sure you edit and proofread it.  Once you have read it after editing, have someone else read it for you.  Even though a thank you letter is beneficial and your employer will appreciate it, do not ruin it by making silly mistakes.

• Close with a thank you:  Make sure you let your prospective employer know that you are thankful that they took the time to interview you.

Remember, a simple thank you letter may be the difference between getting the job and almost getting it.

Ten Tips to Create the Right Thank You Letter was written by Candace. You can visit her blog at Canadian Resume Writing Service

Writing a strategic resume is critical to a successful job search. You have to have a strategy before beginning your resume. You need to plan it out to make you resume work to get you the job. Here are a few tips for writing a strategic resume.

Tip 1: Use the Right Format
When writing your resume, use standard text. Don’t get too fancy by using many different fonts. This can make the resume look unprofessional and harder to read. Stick to the basics. Save your resume in a PDF format.

Tip 2: Keep Your Resume Updated
If you recall something that your forgot to put in your original resume, add it in. Keep your resume saved in a format that you can edit from time to time, and add to it every time you learn a new skill, advance in your position, receive recognitions and awards, and add to your knowledge base. As you send out your resume to different positions, adjust it or edit it to fit the position you are applying for.

Tip 3: Traditional Chronological Resumes are Not the Answer
Traditional chronological resumes are not the standard anymore. Employers are searching for employees who are problem solvers, who can react instantly to needs of the company, and can think on their feet. They want to know what you have achieved or accomplished before they want the history of your employment. Therefore, it can be extremely helpful to add a section dedicated to your related professional achievements.

Tip 4: Make Your Resume Fit the Employer’s Needs
Call the company you are applying to and ask the person doing the hiring what kind of resume they would prefer to have. Some may say a simple one page history of what you have done, and others may want something very detailed. By finding out what they are looking for, you can tailor your resume to fit their requirements.

Tip 5: Don’t Generalize
Some people believe if you generalize what kind of work you are willing to do it will open the door to more opportunities. This is entirely wrong. You should state in detail what your employment and career goals are. You should be specific about what kind of work you do best, and what your interests and values are. This will help the employer decide what position you will be best suited for.

Tip 6: Make the Internet Work for You
Time is of the utmost importance to most big businesses today. They want things done quickly. They don’t want to have to sort through a bunch of pages and read a bunch of details or opinions that are pertinent to the open position. The job market is a competitive area. The sooner you can get your information to a prospective employer, the quicker they will know your qualifications and hire you. So send your resume via the Internet to employers if that option is available.

Writing a Strategic Resume is Critical was written by Candace. You can visit her blog at Canadian Resume Writing Service

If you have been searching for a job for an extended period of time with no results, it doesn’t mean that you aren’t skilled or knowledgeable, but it may mean that you are lacking in job search skills. Just one major mistake can eliminate your chances from the running as a potential candidate. Below, we will examine some of the big job search mistakes that job applicants make in their job search so that you can avoid them in the future.

First off, do not dive into your job search by sending out resumes at random to any job sites, companies, or job ads you come across. You should start instead with a thorough self-assessment. Get to know yourself. Don’t assume potential hiring managers know how wonderful you are. It is your job in your resume and cover letter, and then in the interview to let them know this. Do lots of introspective work before setting out on your job search. Identify what you do that you are really good at and skills you must have and would like to have in your next position. 

Keep in mind that having a job is not an entitlement. You need to put forth the effort in your job search. Research the companies that you are applying to work for, find out their position in the local and world market, what their customers think about them and be sure to read their latest press release or annual report if applicable. Upon getting an interview, learn who the person is who is interviewing you, and where they fit into the organization.

Having a strong cover letter is mandatory. Most HR departments and hiring managers will not look at a resume unless it is accompanied by a good cover letter. A good cover letter means that it is a totally separate document, not a regurgitation of your resume. Use the cover letter to let potential employers find out more about your personality and specific strengths that you could bring to their organization. Be specific about what you could bring to the position. For example, list specific examples of what you have accomplished in the past that directly relates to what they are looking for in their candidates. For example: increasing employee retention, increasing sales, or increasing market share.

Tailor your resume to the specific position you are applying to. Generic resumes do not sell! It does not have to be overly time consuming to tailor your resume to each position. You can accomplish your goal by eliminating irrelevant points and adding in others that speak to the target job’s needs.

In an interview, remember that you can interview the employer too. The interviewer does not have to do all of the asking. In fact, most interviewers would prefer a candidate to ask a few poignant questions as this shows them your interest in the position. Ask pointed and direct questions to decide whether your values and those of the hiring company line up. This will help you to determine whether the position would be a good fit for you or not, while at the same time drawing a clearer picture of the company and what the position entails.

Remember that your ability to succeed is based almost completely on your attitude. Keep a positive attitude by giving it all you’ve got, surrounding yourself with a support group, and by visualizing success while you remain focused and committed to your search.

The Biggest Job Search Mistakes that Job Applicants Make was written by Candace. You can visit her blog at Canadian Resume Writing Service

Building a Resume Toolkit will help you create and establish your credibility and get the position you are looking for. Sometimes it takes more than just the resume and cover letter. Some prospective employers need more documents to convince them that you are the right person for the job. It is a collection of documents that show your credibility and your professionalism. Following is a list of some of the items that should be included in your Resume Toolkit.

• Resume: A strategic resume will catch the eye of the reader immediately. Included in it should be a list of achievements that show what you can and will accomplish if they hire you. You will want to use a format that can be adjusted or edited to fit each different position you apply for.

• Cover Letter: A cover letter is your way of introducing yourself. You will want it to be simple and to the point. No one wants to read a long, drawn out story with a lot of fluff. Be detailed on what position you are applying for and why you think you qualify for that position. Make it brief and to the point. Include items that will make the reader interested in looking over the details of your resume.

• Your Bio: You will want to make this a one page document that describes your career highlights and goals in the form of narration. You will want it to be easy to read, and save it in a format that you can easily print or e-mail to prospective employers.  If you are involved in a panel interview, then you can use this as a handout at that interview.

• LinkedIn Profile: A LinkedIn profile shows your professionalism and is a good tool to use for demonstrating your credibility, initiative and expertise. It is a way to make yourself known to peers, recruiters and employers. This is one of the first things your e-contacts will see.

• Key Initiatives: This is a listing of your achievements, formatted in an easy to read style that is interesting, yet highlights all of your major accomplishments during your past career. You can include small inserts of some of the challenges you had at other jobs and how you overcame them and actually made them work for you. You can also include small bits of information relating to awards, recognitions and certificates you may have received for things you did that made the company better for having you as an employee.

• Networking Letter: This is essential if you are using a form of networking in looking for that new job.  You can use this as the icebreaker to get you that interview. You simply write a well worded letter on what you want to do with your career, what your attributes, accomplishments, training and schooling have prepared you for. This should be done in a format that can be edited. You can also reformat or rewrite this letter and use it as an additional cover letter.

Your Resume Toolkit: A Must to Create Credibility was written by Candace. You can visit her blog at Canadian Resume Writing Service