Why write a resume that's just about you? The key is NEEDS, but not yours.

When job seekers write their resume they tend to get caught up in what they want and they forget all about what the hiring manager needs. But that's the person they are writing the document for. What a huge mistake!

Sure, it's necessary to document the things you have done, but not necessarily everything. The critical things to write about are your accomplishments that respond to the hiring manager's needs.

Here are a few mistakes people make:

1 - Forgetting about what the hiring manager wants.

2 - Forgetting that the document is a advertisement, not a biography.

3 - Forgetting that they don't want to look stupid by making spelling, grammar or careless typo. Proof-read carefully. It's manager, not manger. The spell checker doesn't know if you mean a person or a crib!

4 - Forgetting about formatting the resume neatly for a professional appearance.

5 - Forgetting that computerized parsing software may be the first reader.

Writing your resume is arguably the most important project you ever worked on. If you really want interviews, find out what the hiring manager's needs are and make sure you respond professionally.

Karl has been reviewing resumes for people at no cost since 1999. He has been counseling job seekers since that time as well. Get his help! Email him today at kl@hoochresumes.com

“Why do you want to work here?”

Now that is a very common interview question. Take advantage of it.

You could just stumble your way through with some standard answer that the rest of the herd of interviewees uses, but why not cease the opportunity to show you have thoroughly researched the company. The real question being asked is "Show me you haven't just showed up for the interview without preparing!"

Focus on differentiating yourself from your competition. There will be others out there who will execute due diligence on the company. They will  know about the products or services offered, the competitive position, whether the company is in a good financial position, recent PR releases, etc.

The ability to respond with demonstrated knowledge that demonstrates you have done research that differentiates you in several ways.  It demonstrates interest. It demonstrates initiative. It demonstrates competitiveness. These are all traits that will support all the other interview questions that come at you.

Differentiate yourself!

Karl has been reviewing resumes for people at no cost since 1999. He has been counseling job seekers since that time as well. Get his help! Email him today at kl@hoochresumes.com

7 key reasons not to use job boards

It Isn’t Effective – Less than 2% of jobs are found on job boards. There are better ways of searching.

It Doesn’t Differentiate you from the Stampeding Herd – If you pound job boards you become one of the ‘herd’.

Posting your resume online Doesn’t allow you Edit it for Specific Job Requirements – Editing for the needs of each opportunity differentiates you.

It Doesn’t help you Identify Hidden Jobs – You will never learn about them if you don’t talk to the right people.

It Doesn’t Build your Network – Hiring managers are a valuable add to your network.

It Consumes Time You Should Be Spending on Other Tactics – Like developing  interviewing and salary negotiation skills, networking, and prospecting for hiring managers.

It usually doesn’t work! – Again, there are better ways of searching.

Are you different from other job seekers?

Competition for jobs is always tough. Differentiation is the key to success. How can you differentiate yourself from the herd?

Fundamentally it comes down to 3 basics:

#1, craft a resume that is readable, well organized format, with key words that respond to their needs, presented with good grammar and spelling, that is intelligently written. And make sure it is ATS-compatible (see bit.ly/1Z5yDAh).

#2, choose the search tactics that result in the highest percentage of interviews.

#3, prepare and role-play for interviews.

Here are 6 other worthwhile details that will differentiate you from other job applicants: 

1.    Make sure your resume reflects the achievements and results of your work, not just your responsibilities.

2.    Use job boards and company websites for research, not initially applying (everyone else does that). There are better ways to get interviews.

3.    Learn about the different kinds of recruiting firms, how they work, how to work with them, and what to expect from them before engaging with them.

4.    Find out how to avoid common networking mistakes. And learn how to utilize employee referral bonus programs (RFP’s).

5.    Understand how to negotiate job offers before you get an offer. 

6.    Don’t procrastinate. It’s later than it’s ever been.

Learn how to differentiate yourself today!

Karl has been reviewing resumes for people at no cost since 1999. He has been counseling job seekers since that time as well. Get his help! Email him today at kl@hoochresumes.com