50 fast, free fixes to improve your job chances. Part 1: Resumes

Don’t get discouraged by the lack of response to your job applications … get busy! Improve your chances with these fast and free fixes you can implement today.




Resumes

1) Delete your objective. Companies don’t care what you want (sorry, but it’s true).
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2) Add a bold statement at the top that succinctly states that you are uniquely qualified for the job opening. Example:

Proven human resources leader with global corporate experience.

Adjust this statement to (truthfully) match the job description. This helps the recruiter see immediately that you are a viable contender for the open position.
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3) Include a skills summary. In particular, include skills that relate to the job description. Also feature certifications, languages and technical abilities (including proficiencies in Microsoft Office Suite applications).
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Wordle job description word picture

4) Paste the text of each job description into the template on www.wordle.net. Do this to see what words appear the most. Print the word picture. The most used words will be largest. These may very well be the keywords the company will look for in your resume. Paste your resume into the Wordle template and print. Compare the two word pictures. Adjust your resume wording to better match the job description.

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5) Replace weak verbs and statements with power words. Instead of “Helped edit the company magazine,” write, “Managed the award-winning Blank magazine, the flagship publication of XYZ Company, the world's largest widget company.” In this instance, both statements are true, but the second version says it with power.
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6) Add quantifiable statements. Focus on how your duties mattered. For example, “Implemented a program that sold XXX widgets … raised $xx in donations … saved $00 … or grew membership by XX%.”
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7) Include a brief, impressive description about each company. Add it right on the line after the company name. Example: Enterprise Rent-A-Car (The world’s largest rental car company).
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8) Ditch the fancy or artsy paper resume. It is passé. Replace it with a simple resume, using one font and just basic text that you can easily copy/paste into online application systems. Stubbornly sticking to a paper resume tells employers you are resistant to applying for positions in their preferred way, which is online.
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9) Apply online, NOT in person. According to one recruiter, “Walking in and dropping off your resume is no longer seen as a good thing. It’s actually a little creepy.” Plus, applying in person tells companies that you don't know how to apply online, which is not a good thing to convey!
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10) Add in relevant experience you deleted to get your resume to fit on one page. No one cares if your resume is two pages (seriously!), but leaving off relevant experience … that can cost you an opportunity!
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11) Have someone vouch for your abilities with the hiring manager or a key executive. Or, send a well crafted email to the person who is most likely the hiring manager or his or her boss. In this message, mention that you have already applied online so they can't use that excuse to avoid considering you. Learn how to outmaneuver the online application system.
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12) Save and print the job description. Do this so you are prepared for unexpected phone interviews and so you can review the job requirements before in-person interviews. Also keep a log of positions for which you’ve applied, people you’ve contacted, and the outcome of each opening so if new opportunities arise at the same companies, you'll know who to contact and how to proceed. Download a free Job Leads chart.

So what do you think of these fast fixes? What tips did I leave off? Tell me what you think via Contact tab. -- Kathy
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