Professional Resumes - What Have They Got That Yours Doesnt -

Professional Resumes - What Have They Got That Yours Doesnt -Professional resumes are competing against you. Thats right, if youre in the job market and youve written your own resume, zum besten vonfessionally-prepared resumes are directly competing with you for those coveted interviews. To see how well your resume stacks up against the pros, consider the followingTop 10 Features Found on Professional Resumes1. The professional writer has selected a resume format (either chronological, functional, or a combination) that complements the unique work history of the candidate, emphasizing positive attributes, de-emphasizing the less flattering.2. The professional resume is tailored toward a specific goal or objective, rather than being too general and too accommodating toward too many possible career alternatives.3. The pro resume leads off with an objective statement or profile (summary) section that serves as a hook, a strong and compelling introduction to the candidate and begs furthe r reading.4. The experience and education of the candidate are chronicled in a straightforward and easy to read manner.5. Statements pertaining to job descriptions and accomplishments employ action verbs, and are crafted with care and minimal embellishment.6. Big blocks of text are reorganized, for example, as bulleted lists.7. The professional resume speaks the language of the candidates profession the resume of a teacher includes buzzwords appropriate to the field of education a programmers resume incorporates the technical jargon one would expect in the computer field.8. Keywords are selected and utilized expertly, ensuring that the professionally-prepared resume will pop up in database searches.9. On professional resumes, there are no spelling errors, no grammatical errors, no photos, and no personal information or references.10. There is a balance between written text and white space. The pro resume is a pleasure to look at.A professional resume service is not a necessity for e very job seeker. If you enjoy the process of writing your own resume, and youve got a bit of marketing acumen, go for it. And if that resume generates phone calls and job interviews, youre doing things right.However, if the challenge seems daunting, or you havent the time to get up to speed on resume techniques, or youre your existing resume isnt generating the results youd like, know that youre only two or three clicks away from a professionally-prepared resume.David Alan Carter is a former recruiter. Writing for the website TopResumeServices.com, Carter has put together Resume Service Reviews of the Webs most popular writers, reviewing quality of workmanship, spelling out their pricing, and giving each a star ranking. (Note Carters Top Picks are professional resume services that actually guarantee interviews.)

Resume Tips for Making the Transition to Private Industry

Resume Tips for Making the Transition to Private Industry Resume Tips for Making the Transition to Private IndustryAfter leaving the military, many servicemen and women must find their first private-industry job or consider using their combat experience to advance their previous careers. One of the most difficult challenges in making this transition is translating military experience into marketable private-industry skills on your resume.Military experience can be simplified by the following four straightforward principles1. Skip the AcronymsAcronyms exist in every career path -- doctors, computer scientists and military generals all use them to simplify communication with colleagues. However when switching fields, bear in mind that acronyms are not universally understood. Even within the services -- Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and Coast Guard -- the saatkorn acronym can mean different things. Try to avoid acronyms, or, if absolutely necessary, be sure to spell them out on th e first reference.How It Would Look on a Resume Arranged housing for new families on the base and assisted with soldiers making a Permanent Change of Station (PCS).2. Focus on Verbs, Not NounsMilitary jobs tend to be very specific, leading many military applicants to focus too much on nouns. Resumes for jobs in private industry focus more on verbs. For example, if you were a helicopter mechanic, you do not need to list every type of helicopter you repaired. Instead, you should find strong verbs that convey your transferable skills. For help translating your military skills to the civilian job market, check out Military.coms MOS Decoder.How It Would Look on a Resume Diagnosed mechanical problems in aviation equipment. Installed, maintained, calibrated and repaired sensitive navigation devices.3. Highlight Your Core CompetenciesCore competencies are also known as soft skills and help form the big picture of your skill set. How do all your skills relate to each other in a way that adva nces your organizations mission? Transporting materials, coordinating logistics and ensuring timeliness are all aspects of being results-driven and detail-oriented. Highlight the core competency by making it the headline of your job experience narrative. You can use capital letters.How It Would Look on a Resume PEOPLE SKILLS Prepare and present oral and written briefings, reports, analyses and recommendations to senior managers. Effectively communicate team strategies, goals, objectives, work plans, work products and services.4. Campaigns and Operations = ProjectsIn private industry, people spend much of their time focused on projects. These projects may include a marketing initiative, new store opening or regular delivery of service to a customer. In the military, such projects are called campaigns or operations.In a resume, campaigns and operations can be highlighted just like a private-industry project. When describing your service, dont be afraid to mention the overreaching oper ations in which you participate. You can also include a special Record of Accomplishments section to illustrate your dedication and ability to contribute to a broader mission.How It Would Look on a Resume RECORD OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS Operation Iraqi Freedom -- Supervised three personnel engaged in managing the scheduling of more than 13,000 passengers and 30,000 pounds of equipment for air transportation. Manifested, prioritized and scheduled all flights for personnel and equipment moves in and out of Baghdad.The Takeaway?Translating your military experience for private industry is challenging but not impossible. These four principles can help you overcome roadblocks. Remember that your contribution in the service was part of a much larger campaign and mission. If you can serve your nation, you can do anything.Learn more about military careers.