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04
Jun

Job Interview Time And I Am Freaking Out

By RedStarResume No comments yet

freak-outResume writing and applying for jobs was easy. Now I have been called for a job interview and I am freaking out.

Preparing for the job interview requires you to get a few things in order first before you appear at the official interview. Remember that first impressions are the most lasting and you’ll want to make your job interview the best impression possible so you can maximize your chances of getting the position.

Find below 4 simple tips to keep in mind when you are going to your job interview. Doing each of them right will help your chances of getting hired.

Be on Time:

This cannot be stressed enough. If you can’t make it to your job interview on time, you shouldn’t bother to show up at all. Showing up late not only presents an unprofessional image, but it also tells the hiring manager that you are either not that interested or cannot be trusted to show up. Would you want to hire someone who comes late to a job interview?

The easiest advice is to leave early and allow plenty of time for traffic. If you have not been to the office location before, ensure that you have printed off directions and have a clear understanding of how to get to your destination. The most optimal time to get to an interview is 15 minutes early. This will also allow you to complete any paperwork that may be required. If you do find yourself arriving for the interview extremely early go and find a coffee shop and relax before the job interview. Sitting in the business offices for an extended time is not advised. Imagine being invited to someone’s house for dinner at 8pm and showing up at 6.30!

Dress Appropriately:

Wearing a tattered t-shirt and ripped blue jeans will probably not help you get an office job. Conversely, showing up in a tuxedo will probably not help you land an auto mechanic job either. When you walk through the doors to your interview what you are wearing will impact on the first impression the hiring manager will make. Believe it or not, but how you dress can make a huge impact on your interview.

Elaborate your Answers:

I have sat face to face with many job seekers who have answered all interview questions with only yes or no answers. It goes without saying that none of these candidates got the jobs. When preparing for your interview you need to be able to anticipate the type of questions that you will be asked and prepare answers accordingly. My secret is to write down 10 career accomplishments with specific examples and adapt these achievements into your answers. This way you have examples ready to go, no matter what type of questions are asked.

Ask Questions:

Don’t be intimidated by the job interview. The interview process is much about you finding out about the business and if the business is the right fit for you. Prepare yourself before the interview with several questions that you can ask. Don’t ask about money or benefits, but ask instead about the culture of the business, the organizational future goals, the responsibilities of the job position and other questions that are important for you and your career.

© RedStarResume Publications – http://www.bestresponseresume.com

Click here to buy the brand new Ebook from RedStarResume “Interview Secrets Exposed” is an insider’s guide on everything you need to know in order to nail your job interview.

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29
May

Top Notch Executive Resume Writing Tips

By RedStarResume No comments yet

interviewA senior executive’s professional resume has one job, and that is to portray your value and significance that you can bring to the business. At the executive level it is expected that you have all the soft skills required to lead and manage teams, however the key is to focus on highlighting your value added skills and achievements that are directly related to what the organization is looking for. If the company is looking for a CEO with experience in turning around departments, raising equity or international expansion, then your executive resume needs to target these requirements and provide quantitative examples to back up your evidence.

Highlighting Your Resume:

90% of senior executives I have worked with include their past work histories on the majority of the resumes and often go back 20/30/40 years to when they first started out. The resumes are often too long, too wordy and fail to portray the skills that make them unique executives. When I read an executive resume I want to see confidence and a demonstration that this individual has the right skills and experience to fit the job.

Two fantastic ways of highlighting the resume are as follows:

Qualifications Profile / Career Summary:

Don’t waste time on your resume telling the reader what you are looking for. A hiring manager is not interested in this type of information. They want to know what you can do for them. Introducing a qualifications profile or career summary is a great way to sell yourself immediately on the resume. The most effective profile will provide exact answers to the job description. For example, if the role is looking for a person with change management experience, then you need to let the reader know within the first 10 seconds that you are the change management expert.

Achievement Section:

Creating an achievement section within your resume is the perfect way to highlight your past behaviors and to sell your value to the reader. Remember that numbers are more powerful than words, so don’t get too consumed with trying to explain your achievements in too much detail. Your achievement section should focus on your notable accomplishments and further provide answers to exactly what the job description is looking for in the perfect candidate.

Final Point:

Set up your LinkedIn profile. If you are an executive you need to be on LinkedIn. Not only is LinkedIn recognized as the leading networking tool for all executives, but developing an optimized LinkedIn profile will enable you to outrank other executives on executive searches, giving you the inside running for headhunting and career opportunities.

© RedStarResume Publications – http://www.bestresponseresume.com/

Specialising in Executive Resume Writing

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21
May

Advice For Making A Career Change

By RedStarResume No comments yet

Sad 3d guy sitting on question mark.If you wake up in the morning dreading going to work every day, feel like your job is sucking the life out of you or feel the work you do is not worth the pay you’re getting, it may be time to consider a career change. Although you may want to quit your current job immediately in search of a more fulfilling or higher paid field, the process takes time and should be considered carefully. Follow these helpful tips when considering a career change.

Take your time:
Changing careers generally doesn’t happen overnight. There is a lot of preparation needed before you up and quit your current job and expect to find another one in a completely different industry. Once you make the decision that you’d like to change careers, be patient and take the time to make contacts, do your research and get the basic qualifications you’ll need in order to make the switch.

Do your research:
Unfortunately if you’re a nurse and wake up one day and decide your true calling is to be a lawyer, you won’t get anywhere without first doing some research to figure out what you actually need to pursue that profession. Before you make any definite decisions, conduct extensive research on the field you’re interested in. Talk to any contacts you know in the field or contact professionals in the industry to get more information, review industry websites, related news and learn about the qualifications needed for entry level positions as well as the industry outlook.

Be willing to make some sacrifices:
Unfortunately when you switch careers, you’ll usually have to make sacrifices in order to do it. You’ll need to start closer to the bottom again and work your way up. This may mean taking a cut in pay, losing seniority privileges or having fewer benefits. You may also need to consider volunteering for a few hours each week in the field that interests you to make sure that you actually know what you’re getting into, gain some relevant experience and make sure that this is the right path for you.

Have a plan:
When you decide to make a career change it’s important to have a solid plan in place. Depending on what career you’re changing to, you may need to go back to school for further education, enroll in a training program or gain basic experience through part time or voluntary work. You’ll also need to start networking with other industry professionals in order to gain valuable insights and increase your chances of successfully making the transition.

© RedStarResume Publications: 

Specialist in Achievement Based Resume Writing, Cover Letter Writing & LinkedIn Profile Development & Optimization

The journey to finding your dream job starts with a brand new resume

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16
May

Using Quantifiable Evidence Throughout Your Resume

By RedStarResume No comments yet

Find-a-JobWe’ve all heard the phrase “actions speak louder than words.” Well when it comes to resumes, “numbers speak louder than words.” When you start changing your resume to be achievement based rather than duty based, a great thing to focus on is quantifiable experience. Wherever possible, try to use numbers in order to make your resume shine.

When adding quantifiable experience to your expert resume, always ask yourself “How Many?” or “How Much?” for each of the tasks you performed. Obviously you might not be able to do this for every job function but approaching your resume writing this way will help you to develop a strong, quantifiable document. You can do this by including:

Hard Numbers:

It’s always best to first think about the number of reports, files, clients, etc that you dealt with in previous jobs. Numbers almost always sound more impressive than generic statements of tasks you performed. If, for example, you worked at a restaurant as a waiter and were a shift leader, you could say it in 2 different ways:

“Waited on tables in a high-paced restaurant environment and supervised fellow waiters”

OR

“Waited on over 50 customers per night in a high-paced restaurant environment and supervised 10 waiters per shift”

The first example tells you, while the second shows you through numbers. Which example sounds more like someone you’d want to hire?

Percentages:

Using percentages can be a great way to highlight your achievements and demonstrate your success in previous positions. Percentages can also be helpful when the numbers themselves don’t sound that impressive but compared to what they previously were, they are. For example, if you were in charge of social media at your previous company and increased followers from 300 to 1000, you could either say:

“Increased social media followers by 700”

OR

“Increased social media followers by over 300%”

Both are achievement statements but percentages can sometimes sound more impressive than hard numbers or give context to your numbers if employers might not be familiar with examples.

Frequency:

You may not realize it but ordinary tasks can sound completely different when you put them into context. Maybe you performed some mediocre tasks in previous positions but at high-volume rates. If you worked at a call-center, for example, answering calls and responding to customer complaints, you could either say:

“Answered incoming calls and responded to customer complaints”

OR

“Managed incoming calls and responded to over 200 customer complaints per day.”

The second sounds much more impressive.

We don’t always realize the achievements we’ve made in our past work experience. Thinking about numbers can help put these achievements into perspective and demonstrate our professional success to employers.

© RedStarResume Publications – http://www.bestresponseresume.com/

Check out our brand new Australian website at: http://www.bestresponseresume.com.au/

#1 for Australian Resume Writing 

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13
May

How To Avoid Being Red-Flagged As A Job Hopper

By RedStarResume No comments yet

job hoppingHave you switched careers several times in the past ten years, worked several short-term positions, or been retrenched and forced to find new work? If you’ve held several different positions in the past 5-10 years, you may be sending a message to employers that you’re a job hopper, not staying in positions for very long. Hiring managers confess that if a candidate looks like a job hopper, they will automatically discard their resume, assuming that they’re either not reliable, get bored easily in positions or have been terminated by past employers. Whether employers’ perceptions are accurate or not, you don’t want to be labeled a job hopper and lose a good opportunity.

Whatever your reasons are for frequently changing positions (and there are a lot of totally legitimate reasons nowadays to choose, or circumstantially need to change jobs), you don’t want to be automatically discarded for positions you apply for. Try these helpful tips to avoid being labeled a ‘Job Hopper’ and eliminated from consideration.

Categorize your work experience differently

If you have several short-term, consulting or temporary work assignments, you may want to consider categorizing them under one heading such as “Consultant” and list the various projects you worked on and accomplishments under that, so it appears more as a whole set instead of separate assignments. You can also include two separate headings for your work experience if you’ve transitioned between industries a lot. Put “Relevant Work Experience” with the positions you’ve held that are directly related to the position you’re applying to, and “Other,” or “Additional Work Experience” below that to account for large gaps of time.

Leave out irrelevant jobs

Your resume is essentially a marketing tool to demonstrate your qualifications for a particular position or industry. If you have short-term, contract or part-time experiences that you don’t feel are relevant to the position you’re applying for, it is entirely okay to leave it out. You will, however, need to include it if a company asks for your full work experience.

De-emphasize dates of employment

If your dates of employment are choppy, you can try downplaying the dates in different ways. You can try leaving out the months of employment and only including the years, so it’s not as obvious. You can also include the dates in parenthesis after your job title, or below your achievements.

Focus on resume achievements and qualifications

Employers are mainly concerned with your success in past positions. If you can demonstrate you made significant contributions to your previous employers, even if they were short-term positions, employers will be more likely to overlook it. You can even emphasize accomplishments and skills you’ve acquired through your diverse roles, such as being a fast learner, adapting to new work environments and industry trends, and yielding high results.

Use your cover letter to briefly explain your work history, putting a positive spin on it and expressing your interest in a long-term position

If you feel like your resume screams Job Hopper, you may want to add a brief explanation for why you’ve changed jobs so frequently in your cover letter, or highlight the unique skills and perspective you’ve gained through your diverse experiences. Make sure to stay positive about your past circumstances though and try not to sound like you’re making excuses for every position you’ve left. It’s important to also express your interest in a long-term position with the company to help put employers’ fears at ease.

© RedStarResume Publications – http://www.bestresponseresume.com/

Internationally Recognized Resume Writing Experts – Specializing in Developing High Impact Resumes”

For the past decade, the team at RedStarResume has been creating award winning resumes that get noticed by hiring managers. Under our guidance, our clients have achieved successes in over 35 different industries. From the college student looking to break into his or her first job to the seasoned professional and CEO level candidate, our custom-made, high impact resumes are written specifically to match the goals and objectives of our clients.

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09
May

The 10 Biggest Job Interview Mistakes

By RedStarResume No comments yet

pass-fail-mediocre-what-grade-would-a-us-employer-or-healthcare-carrier-give-your-hospital-or-clinic-mainIf you’re not used to interviewing, you may not know what to expect. We’ve listened to hiring managers, career experts, job recruiters and even our very own team of resume writers to find out some of the biggest interview mistakes job seekers make! Some are common, while others most of us would never dream of doing. Check the list and make sure you don’t make the same mistakes!

Showing up half an hour late. Hiring managers and interviewers are busy people. If you waste their time by being late to the interview, you’re not going to make a good impression. Many interviewers will discard your application just for being late.

Wearing jeans to your interview. Surprisingly, some people actually wear jeans and shorts to interviews. Even if the industry you’re applying to is casual, you should still wear dress pants and a formal top. Dressing too casual is a sign you’re not serious about the position.

Asking about salary and vacation time during the first interview. Of course we all care about how much the salary is and can’t wait to get those days off, however if you bring this up before an offer has been made, employers will question your interest in the position and think you don’t care what job you take as long as you get a paycheck.

Questionable social media content. Believe it or not, over 50% of employers do briefly check your social media sites. Having revealing photos, being intoxicated or having very bad grammar in your posts may cause alarm for employers. Be sure to clean up your sites before you interview.

Talking extensively about your personal life. You should be personable and provide details about questions asked, however there’s nothing worse for interviewers than candidates talking too much about irrelevant information, keeping the interview from progressing. Try not to bring up too many personal details unless prompted to by the interviewer.

Bad-mouthing a former boss or employer. Ever heard the phrase “it’s a small world”? In many industries, people have worked with many different professionals over the years. Don’t risk making yourself look bad by talking negatively about a former boss or employer who may know or have ties to this new company. If you do this, it also worries employers that you may speak badly about them in the future.

Not doing your research ahead of time. This is one of the most frequent complaints made by employers. Many candidates don’t know much about the company they’re interviewing for, making employers question how much they really want the position. A little research goes a long way. At least check out the website, board members and an annual report before you go for your interview.

Not asking enough questions. If you’re not asking questions, employers don’t think you’re serious about the position. Ask questions that show you’ve done your research and that relate to the position you’re applying for.

Stating that you’re only applying for the position as a last resort. Employers assume you’re applying for other positions as well, but don’t make it seem like you’re applying anywhere and everywhere. Try to limit sharing that you’re looking at other positions unless specifically asked.

Chewing gum or answering your phone during the interview. Believe it or not, some people actually take a phone call during the interview. Needless to say, this will NOT win you any brownie points with interviewers! You should also be sure to spit out your gum before the interview. It’s distracting and takes away from your professionalism.

© RedStarResume Publications – http://www.bestresponseresume.com.au/

Amanda Ryan is a Program Development Associate & Resume Writing specialist at RedStarResume.

Need the help of a professional resume writer with expert resume writing skills? Contact the team at RedStarResume!

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07
May

Student And Graduate Resume Writing

By RedStarResume No comments yet


6 Things to Include on your Resume as a Current Student or Recent Gradratuate

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One of the first steps in making the transition from student to job seeker is to create a professional resume. At first glance it may seem like you don’t have much to put on your resume as a student or recent grad, however if you assess your past experiences you’ll realize you have more relevant experience to highlight on your resume than you think. Employers look to your past performance to predict your success in the future. As a student or recent graduate, jobs aren’t the only way you can demonstrate your prior success. Remember that resume writing is all about highlighting your achievements. Don’t forget to include examples and evidence to further promote your value added skills to hiring managers.

Relevant Coursework:

As a student or recent graduate, employers realize that so far most of your life has been spent in the classroom, learning and studying. It’s beneficial to highlight coursework that is related to the field you’re applying for. This can show employers that you’ve learned relevant material from your studies and that you have thorough knowledge that can be an asset to their company.

Internships:

Of course you’ll want to include any and all student internships you’ve had in the past. It’s always better if you’ve participated in an internship related to the jobs you’re applying for; however having any type of internship can show a level of maturity and responsibility. It also shows that you’ve been exposed to a real working environment and are better prepared to enter the workforce.

Part-time/ Summer Jobs:

Don’t belittle your part-time or seasonal work experience. A job in retail or summer camp may not seem relevant to the field you’re going into, however you learn a great deal of foundational skills by having a part-time job that prepares you for having a full-time position. Employers like to see that you’re mature enough to hold a job and learn some basic skills and work ethic.

Volunteer Work:

Volunteering can also provide valuable skills and promote leadership and cooperation. It’s good to include any volunteering you’ve been part of in the past, as it can also demonstrate maturity, responsibility, team work and cooperation.

Extra-curricular Activities:

Feel free to list relevant extra-curricular activities on your resume. Anything you do on your free time that shows commitment, leadership, team work, etc. You can demonstrate skills you’ve acquired through your extra-curricular activities. For example if you’ve played on a sports team while in school, this can show you’re a team player and able to successfully handle multiple tasks.

Memberships/ Affiliations:

Including relevant memberships and affiliations can help demonstrate your commitment to a particular field of study, issue, or show your success in a certain area if membership is merit-based.

© RedStarResume Publications – http://www.bestresponseresume.com

Amanda Ryan is a Program Development Associate & Senior Resume Writer at RedStarResume. Amanda is a highly skilled resume writing expert and career expert who also specialises in creating, writing and developing career content, working alongside student and graduate job seekers and developing career content for newsletters, partners and career websites.

Need the help of a professional resume writer with expert resume writing skills? Contact the team at RedStarResume!

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29
Apr

Find A Job In Australia

By RedStarResume No comments yet

Are you a highly skilled migrant or an international student looking to find employment opportunities in Australia? Or perhaps you’re an Australian job seeker trying to find a new job?

No matter who you are, if you require a job in Australia this EBook is for you!

The Ultimate Australian Job Search Handbook will give you all the tips that you require to find job success in Australia.

Every job market from around the world is unique, and the Australian job market is no different. In order to find a job in Australia you need to properly prepare yourself for the entire job process. This includes preparing an “Aussie” resume (that targets Australian hiring managers and recruitment agents), establishing your job searching strategies and acing the job interview. This EBook will also help you with every stage of the job interview process including preparing for common interview questions, how to answer those tough interview questions, preparing for phone interviews and even how to dress on the day of your big interview in order to create that first impression.

The purchase of the EBook is your first step to finding your dream job in Australia.

Click on the EBook cover below to find out more about our brand new EBook!

 

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22
Apr

Job Interview Preparation

By RedStarResume No comments yet

Interview Secrets Exposed - CopyPreparing for a job interview can be quite stressful, especially if you haven’t been to one in quite some time. For many, it really comes down to preparation because the better prepared you are, the greater your chances of landing that position you’ve been working so hard to get. In this post, you will discover some important job interview preparation techniques to help you rise above your competition.

Gather and prepare your job search documents:

There are a few documents you’ll need to have on hand when going on an interview, and it will be extremely important to have them all before leaving. Some of those documents include your ID, a completed resume, reference pages, cover letter, reference letters, performance reviews, diplomas, certificates, or anything else that pertains to the specific position you are interviewing for.

Clothing is Vital – select something appropriate for the occasion

When people say that first impressions are everything, it’s the truth. Dress to target the position you are applying for. If you are applying for a framing position in construction, for example, you will not arrive to the interview in a 3 piece suit. Look at what others are wearing within that company and dress accordingly.

Scope out the location:

It’s always better to get the directions sorted out before leaving for the interview. If you’ve never been there before, go there a day ahead of time and search the place out. This way when you leave on the day of the interview, finding it will not be an issue. There is nothing worse than getting lost on the way to the interview and showing up late.

Perform your due-diligence on the company:

Do your research on the company and find out information about what they do, how they are perceived in the marketplace, and any other information that can be used in the interview during the Q & A session. The more information you know about them, the greater your ability to tailor your interview answers accordingly.

Practice Q & A’s

Practice makes perfect! Prepare a list of potential interview questions and answers. Have a friend or family member fire questions at you to get you prepared for the intensity of the interview.

Arrive at least 15 minutes early

Always get to the job interview early. Rule of thumb is to arrive at least 15-20 minutes early. There are several reasons for this. The main reason is to show interest in the company and to show you are on time. The other is there may be a lot of paperwork that will need to be filled out ahead of the interview, so getting there early will help the process move along smoothly.

Final points:

With the current state economy, you simply have to prepare better than the next person in order to nail the job interview. The greater your preparation and research, the greater your chance of finding success. If you do miss out on landing that new job, don’t fret – just learn from it because each time you will get that much better.

© RedStarResume Publications – http://www.bestresponseresume.com

Click here to buy the brand new Ebook from RedStarResume “Interview Secrets Exposed” is an insider’s guide on everything you need to know in order to nail your job interview.

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14
Apr

5 Typical Resume Writing Mistakes

By RedStarResume No comments yet

guest-blogging-1Resume trends and hiring manager’s preferences change quickly these days, so it’s important to keep up with current styles. These are some of the top 5 common resume writing mistakes job seekers make. If you find your resume is following into any of these categories try to change it up!

Resume isn’t reader friendly:

Hiring managers and recruitment agents are going through hundreds of applications for every one position. They don’t have the time or patience to try to decipher a resume that is cluttered, unorganized or difficult to read because of all the different styles and fonts going on. Make sure your resume is reader friendly—meaning it’s structured simply, includes clear headers and not too busy. Believe it or not, a simply typo or grammatical error can get your resume tossed in the trash so look over your resume several times and ask a friend to proofread it for any common mistakes you might have missed.

Not specific to the position you’re applying for:

Nowadays, one size does not fit all when it comes to your resume. Your resume should be modified slightly for each position you apply for, highlighting your most relevant experience related to the position you’re applying to.

Using online resume templates:

If you want a sure way to look like every other job seeker out there, use an online resume template. Online resume templates can be outdated, include complex or difficult to read organizational layout and cause you to lose authenticity.

Doesn’t focus on achievements:

It used to be okay for you to simply list the duties and responsibilities of your previous positions and that was enough to get you an interview. Unfortunately it’s not the case anymore. The competition for jobs is fierce. If you want to stand a chance at getting called in for an interview you need to focus on achievements you accomplished in your previous experience rather than simple responsibilities and activities. In addition, you should include key words from the job description to ensure that the terminology you use matches up with that of employers.

Limiting resume to one page:

I remember when I wrote my first resume, I was told that it should all fit onto one page. Well that trend has changed and it’s now okay to have a resume that’s a few pages long. Don’t go on for too long but it’s better to properly highlight all of your experiences than to condense everything into one page and miss out on including all of your achievements for each relevant position.

© RedStarResume Publications – http://www.bestresponseresume.com

Amanda Ryan is a Program Development Associate & Senior Resume Writer at RedStarResume. Amanda is a highly skilled resume writing expert and career expert who also specialises in creating, writing and developing career content, working alongside student and graduate job seekers and developing career content for newsletters, partners and career websites.

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