A resume is the primary tool that all professionals use to define and disseminate their professional brand to an ever-expanding world of contacts. Long-term success— rewarding work without layoffs, and professional growth that fits your goals—is much easier to achieve when you are credible and visible within your profession.
Looking for employment? It’s a tough market out there. As of July 2013, there were 3.7 million job openings in the U.S. This may sound like an impressive number, but it’s actually a 17 percent drop from pre-recession levels. Not only do fewer openings exist, but the competition is also fiercer than ever. Today more than 30 percent of American adults have a bachelor’s degree.
In today’s job market, a resume has to be more than a simple career history. A well-written resume should provide the reader with a clear understanding of who you are, what unique experience and skills you possess, and how you can translate those skills and experience to add immediate value to an organization.
You live at the most exciting of times. You were born at the dawn of a new era, and are part of the first generation to grow up with the technology that is now shaping every aspect of life throughout the globe. The opportunities in your future are limited only by your willingness to pursue them.
Branding isn't only important for businesses. It is also important in getting a job. In fact, personal branding has taken on increasing importance as the workforce embraces creativity and individualism. And with unemployment still above the natural 5 percent, it is even more important to get the edge and stand out with our resume. Branding does this. Branding allows for you to show the unique value you bring to the table and allows for the employers to get a real insightful look at who you are and what you are all about. So how do you go about creating a personal branding resume?
Resume writing is about as much fun as a root canal, especially when you’re just out of school and have no professional experience to speak of. What do you do after writing down your graduation date and that burger-flipping job, and three-quarters of a blank page are still staring you in the face? Here are five tips to make you and your resume look professional. 1. E-Mail Address as a Marketing Tool
The beautiful thing about writing,” the old saying goes, “is that you don’t have to get it right the first time, like brain surgery, for instance.” That goes for all writing, especially resumes, because once you’ve sent it, it better be right, or your phone won’t ring. Resumes don’t get jobs; they get interviews, so your resume must make your phone ring. Here are 20 common resume mistakes that should never happen – in no particular order, as they’re all killers.
Resumes will never go away. They serve multiple purposes. Most people think of them as necessary starting points in a job search, which they certainly are. But they can also be used to secure business deals, apply for board positions, or line up speaking gigs. In short, resumes provide a neat way of summarizing your professional experience, skills, and qualifications.