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Saturday, May 28, 2011

The Crucial First Step In Resume Writing: Establishing Your Focus

OBJECTIVE: A professional position with opportunities for advancement that will allow me to use the full range of my qualifications.

Wow! Could you imagine an objective that could be any less specific? But, as a professional resume writer, I can tell you that such a nebulous, non-specific resume objective is more common than it is not. This is one of the most frequent mistakes that I see people make on their resume.

Let me ask you: If you don't know what you want and where you are going, what makes you think a busy employer will take the time to figure it out for you?

Very frankly, they won't and they shouldn't!

While I hear it every day, I still cringe when I pick up the phone and prospective clients tell me that they "just want to find a job - any job."

Using this hit-or-miss, anything-will-do strategy, even if by some stroke of luck you land a position, the job you land would very likely be one that you would be miserable in! You may have the ability to do the job, but it wouldn't be in line with your interests, your values, and your passions.

When individuals come to me and are not able to express a focus, I tell them very frankly that until they are able to articulate a clear career target, hiring a professional resume writer will be a waste of their time and money. If I am unable to assist them in narrowing down a focus, I will refer them to a career counselor and suggest that they spend some time defining a focus and setting career goals before we work together on the resume. And yet, so many people TRY to write a resume without a clear focus. Are YOU guilty of this?

Do you have a resume? If so, what I would like to request is that you pull it out and take a look at it with a fresh eye - try to look at it objectively as someone receiving it for the first time might look at it. Is your career focus immediately clear? Within seconds - because that is REALLY all you have - will the recipient come away with an understanding of your job target -of the level and type of position you are seeking - and of exactly where you would fit in their organization and add value? Be honest with yourself? This is really important! If you have trouble being objective, it may help to ask a friend or acquaintance for their impressions after a 10 second scan.

Assuming that you do need to refine the focus of your resume - as most people do - you may be wondering just how to do that.

Is an objective statement the best way to focus your resume? In the past you were probably taught that objective statements were an essential part of the resume. Happily, this is no longer true.

Today, profile or summary sections are used to set the tone and focus for most resumes. Why? Well, think about it: objectives tell the reader what you WANT from them. Profiles or summary sections tell the reader what you OFFER them. This is a subtle but really important difference.

Your resume needs to be employer-centered and focused on how you will meet the employer's needs, solve their problems, and add value to their organizations. Your resume must be focused, but the more modern way of doing this than an objective statement, is to create a headline statement that is incorporated as part of your summary or profile. Are you having trouble envisioning what a headline statement is? Or, even what a resume profile or summary is? There are dozens and dozens of examples for you to review in the resume samples section of the Distinctive Documents website.

The best job target, of course, is the well-defined one. At the very least, you should be able to articulate and succinctly state the job function that you want to perform and the professional level you are targeting. But even these two criteria are quite broad. To be really effective you should pair those criteria with one or more criteria. For example, other criteria might include the industry you plan to target, the company size or type you are interested in, or maybe the type of product or service developed or sold by the company.

You'll be using all of this information to create a really strong and focused headline statement and summary profile. But don't stop there. Your resume is a marketing document! It is not an autobiography. Your resume is, at its very core, an advertisement of the specific benefits you have to offer in relation to a specific type of position. Every word and element in your resume should serve a purpose and should support your job target. If irrelevant or extraneous data that does not support and promote your job target is left in your resume, you will dilute your focus and will almost certainly confuse the reader. Don't let that happen and don't make the mistake of thinking you need to include everything about yourself in your resume. Once you know your focus, carefully review the body of your resume and eliminate or reframe everything that doesn't serve your job target.

And, here is another really key tip: Remember that you are writing to the future in your resume, not about the past. Your resume content should be guided by who you want to be and how you want to be perceived. You need to know your goals and write from those perspectives. If you are involved in a career transition, you need to be absolutely honest and truthful while re-evaluating, re-weighting, and reframing past experience to bring the transferable qualifications to the forefront.

A well-defined target will guide you in your entire job search - in how you prioritize your skills and past experience as a focus for your resume and other job search documents, the people that you contact and network with, and the companies that you research and ultimately apply to.

So, go ahead. Take some time right now - today - to make certain that your resume is clearly, accurately, and immediately conveying your focus and your job target to the reader. This simple step will dramatically enhance your resume and the results it generates. And, as always, don't hesitate to ask for professional resume writing help if you need it. 





pic is courtesy of discinsights.com

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Resume Writing Tips--How To Get The Interviews You Want


Need help writing your resume? Listen, don't sweat it--you're not alone, and there's nothing wrong with getting yourself a little bit of free resume writing help.


So let's get started, shall we? What I've got here are a few choice tips you can use to add some profitability (a.k.a. spice) to your job search, and get that phone of yours ringing with offers for the job interviews you want:


Resume Writing Tip #1: Make sure your contact information is correct. Don't laugh or roll your eyes, this is a much more valuable tip than you'd think. Which is one reason why I placed this resume writing tip first. I've seen resumes with misspelled email addresses, wrong phone numbers--even ones with no phone number! So don't be so quick to brush this aside--we all make little mistakes here and there, sometimes with the simplest things.


Resume Writing Tip #2: Write a clear objective that not only says what position you're applying for, but how you can benefit the company. That may sound complicated, I know, but it's not. Unfortunately, this advice is also commonly ignored. Resume writing with no objective is like a piƱata with no candy. It's empty, pointless. Hiring managers won't sift through your resume, trying to figure out what you want to do. Here's a sample resume objective that's clear and even offers the company a benefit:


Objective: Accomplished Copy Editor ready to apply 6+ years of exceptional written communication and editing skills towards supporting the goals of a quality-focused organization.


Resume Writing Tip #3: Your platinum achievements. Here's where a lot of job seekers will a brick wall. This resume writing tip is terribly critical. Dry lists of job duties just aren't enough to get your resume to stand out. You need detailed achievements, and include specific numbers, percentages--details help! They give believability to your accomplishments. Here's a resume writing sample of what I mean:

Edit school newsletter. (This sounds too bland, mediocre. Any editor can do this, it sounds too dry)
  • Created & currently edit Educator's Voice, a monthly newsletter that keeps parents aware of past and upcoming school events and activities. (This is much better, more specific & detailed. It's a great & unique accomplishment, the newsletter title & purpose is given, and it stands out so much more)

Resume Writing Tip #4: Spelling, spelling...oh boy. Think you can slide by with one or two spelling errors? Forget it. Not even one will be tolerated. Spelling errors are totally unprofessional, and they turn off hiring managers in an instant. They figure, why would I want this person to be part of my team, when they can't even spell? It's a good idea to run a spell check. But don't stop there--be sure to check your spelling yourself. Read it out loud, it might help you to catch more mistakes. And then after this, have 1-3 of your most reliable, detail-oriented friends check it out for you. It's all worth the effort, believe me.


Resume Writing Tip #5: A quote or two, would do wonders for your resume. Ever gotten a performance review you were proud of? Well, grab a sentence or two from that, and place it onto your resume. Placing quotes onto your resume is priceless, and definitely something that will help you to stand out. Here's a resume writing sample of a quote: "Ms. Daniels is talented, uplifting, and she brightens up the school with her beautiful artwork." (A parent's comments about a preschool teacher).


So go ahead and put these resume writing tips to good use. Once applied, they can only help to improve your job search. Use them in your resume, and keep that cell phone with you always. How about this...why not set your ringer with your favorite tune--The Sopranos, The Lone Ranger, Chopin? Please don't laugh--mine is HBO's drama Rome.


Then you can enjoy the sound of your cell phone ringing, while relishing the thought that it could be yet another call for an interview, or even better, that ultimate job offer!


pic is courtesy of fjp.com

Friday, May 20, 2011

10 Most Asked Job Interview Questions and Great Answers - guest blogger


After each interview question there is a concern or an additional question. Your responsibility is to process the inquiry thinking about what the interviewer's concern might be. In other words, why is the interviewer asking you this question?

Q1 - How long have you been looking for a job? (Concern - is there something wrong with you that other employers have picked up?)

A1 - "After I was let go from my previous job, I took the break to take a little time to assess my career goals and where I was going with my life. I have just begun my search in the previous few weeks. I have a definite objective in mind and have been selective concerning the positions I contemplate. Your business and this situation are of significant interest to me."

Q2 - How did you get ready for this career job interview? (Concern - are you interested enough to do a little research, or are you planning to "wing it"?)

A2 - "When I found this position posted on the net (monster.com) I was instantaneously attracted. I checked out the company site as well as the mission statement, looked at the bios of company founders and executives, and was impressed. After I had the job interview appointment, I talked with associates and acquaintances in the industry. Also, I'm sure I'll find a lot more during today's meetings."

Q3 - What is your salary expectation for this job? (Concern - Can we manage to pay for you? Can we get you for less than budgeted?)

A3 - "I'll want more information with reference to the job as well as the responsibilities involved before discussing salary. Can you provide me an idea of the range budgeted intended for this position?"

Q4 - How do you keep current and knowledgeable about your job and the industries that you have worked in? (Concern - Once you get the job do you continue to learn and develop - stay challenged and motivated?)

A4 - "I pride myself on my ability to stay on top of what is happening in my trade. I do a lot of reading - the business section of the newspapers and magazines. I belong to a couple of professional organizations and network with colleagues at the conferences. I take classes and seminars whenever they are of importance, or offer fresh information or technology."

Q5 - Tell me about a time when you had to set up and coordinate a project from start to end. (Concern - behavioral questions - looking for an instance of certain past behavior)

A5 - " I headed up a project which involved client service personnel and technicians. I organized a meeting to get everybody together to brainstorm and get his or her input. From this business meeting I drew up a design, taking the best of the ideas. I prepared groups, balancing the mixture of specialized and non-technical people. We had a deadline to meet, so I did periodic checks with the groups. After three weeks, we ended up exceeding expectations, and were able to begin implementation of the strategy. It was a enormous team effort, and a huge achievement. I was commended by management on behalf of my leadership, but I was most proud of the team determination and cooperation which it took to pull it off."

Q6 - What types of individuals do you have difficulties working with? (Concern - ability to be flexible and work in a diverse atmosphere?)

A6 - "In my previous three jobs I have worked with men and women from vastly diverse backgrounds and cultures. The single instance I had trouble was with people who were being dishonest about work issues. I worked with one lady who was taking recognition for work that her group completed. I had an occasion to chat with her one day and explained how she was upsetting the morale. She became incredibly distressed that some others saw her that way, and believed she was unaware of her conduct or the reactions of other people. Her actions changed following our conversation. What I learned as a result of that occurrence is that from time to time what we perceive regarding other people is not always the case if we check it out."

Q7 - We expect managers to work more than 8 hours a day. Do you have a problem with that? (Concern - are you a work-aholic or a person who requires balance?)

A7 - "I have no trouble working lengthy hours. I have worked 12 or 14 hour days. What I have found works for me is to work smarter, not necessarily for a longer time. My target is to get the job completed, whatever that calls for, in the most efficient manner."

Q8 - When have you been most pleased in your career? (Concern - what motivates you? Or demotivates you?)

A8 - "The job prior to the one I am currently at, was my most satisfying experience for me. I worked in a wonderful team setting. There was a lot of camaraderie. I worked with a group of four people and we did some truly creative thinking. It is that style of setting I would like to be involved in again."

Q9 - Why do you want this job? (Concern - are you using the shot-gun approach to job search or do you in fact realize what you desire?)

A9 - "I've been especially careful about the organizations where I have applied. As soon as I saw the advertisement for this opportunity, I recognized I found what I was looking for. What I can bring to this job is my seven years of knowledge, and knowledge of the industry, along with my ability to connect and create customer relationships. That, along with my versatility and organizational competencies, makes me a perfect match for this opportunity. I perceive a few challenges in the future of me here, and that's what I thrive on. I have what you need, and you have what I want."

Q10 - We are ready to put together an offer. Are you prepared to accept today? (Concern - we do not desire you to go away and deliberate about it and change your mind - we desire you.)

A10 - "Based on my research and the information I have gathered throughout the job interview process, I feel I am in a place to consider an offer. I do, nevertheless, have a personal policy that I give myself at least 24 hours to make key life decisions. I could let you know by tomorrow."

There is no way you can precisely predict the questions that will be asked in a job interview, however you can be ready and prepared by thinking about the points that might concern an interviewer or employer before the interview.

Read more: http://www.articlesbase.com/careers-articles/10-most-asked-job-interview-questions-and-great-answers-3294021.html#ixzz1Kx1QepEA 
Under Creative Commons License: Attribution

Carole Martin is a celebrated author, trainer, and counselor. Carole can offer you interviewing ideas like no one else can. Pick up a copy of her FREE trial of Interview Questions and Answers by visiting Carole on the web http://www.interviewcoach.com/answer-guide/



pic courtesy of anyjobfinder.com

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Effective Resume Writing Tips


Effective resume writing requires the proper presentation of every section in resume. Many people think that resume writing is a simple job and does not require many efforts. But this isn't true. Writing resumes is a tricky job and one should take proper care while presenting his/her details on resume. Following the resume tips for writing the resume will help you to create a masterpiece resume and make impact on employers.
Effective Resume Writing Tips:
• Memorize the details that you want to write on your resume. Make sure that these details are relevant to your job profile. Frame this information into meaningful and attractive sentences.
• Start your resume with your contact details on the top. Write your contact details on the top of every page of your resume. These contact details should include your name, address, contact number and your e-mail ID.
• Job objective section is the first section in resume. It presents your career goals and shows your perspective towards the job. Your job objective should explain to the employer what you can provide to the company and how can the company get benefited, rather than how you would be benefited from the company.
• If you are writing the resume for the recent graduate or fresher, you can write the academic credentials after your career objective. Fresher candidate do not possess any work experience to attract the employers and hence one has to focus on educational details and acquired skills to grab the attention of the employers.
• In case, if you are experienced candidate, you can write the experience section after career objective followed by the skills section. Your job relevant work experience will make you stand out from the crowd.
• The skills section consists of transferable skills like interpersonal skills and management skills, and the technical skills. The fresher candidate should focus on writing the skills on resume. Give examples of how you can utilize the skills to work efficiently. For the experienced candidate, it is not necessary to mention the soft skills; instead you can mention only technical skills.
• Awards and honors during previous employments or academics can be listed under separate heading reading "Awards and Honors".
• Make sure that you don't make simple grammatical or spelling mistakes in writing resume. Proof read the resume before finalizing it for sending.
Following the above resume tips will help you to write an effective resume. Choose the appropriate resume format that will best suit your job application and emphasize your specialized qualities to the prospective employer.
pic courtesy of eduinreview.com

Monday, May 16, 2011

On Line Professional Writing Services-Resumelady

Employment interview rejections can really pull down one's confidence! Stay clear of denial at an interview due to the fact of the improper resume layout. Acquire support from on the net professional writing services where you can obtain writers that can aid produce magic with perfect resumes. An immaculate resume composed by on the web professional writing services can help you cross half the hurdle of this job seeking procedure. Walking into an interview having a perfectly crafted resume can boost your morale and help you get via your interview confidently.


On line professional writing services help you make up the best resume that will transform your future. The writers at Resumelines supply quality on the internet professional writing services which help you upload to greater job opportunities.

Whenever you acquire on the net professional writing services, the writers will not only draft your resume, but also provide you with resume evaluation critiques that will support research your job seeking status. Online professional writing services provide clients 24 x 7 hours customer service services that may assist you to with any query you face at at any time. The toll free of charge hotline is incredibly useful in seeking advice here and there when needed.

On the web professional writing services have a lot of advantages over local services. One of the biggest advantages is that they're quick to reply. At times you find an urgent job posting which needs an e-resume. You can right away avail services of these online writing providers who are in your service. At Resumelines you're offered a basic draft from the resume in less than twenty four hours. On the web writing organizations supply you on the net web resumes along with challenging copies of one's resumes. The truth is, you acquire several formats of resumes in PDF, Word and ASCII. Besides multi formats you might be entitled to forever storage of one's resumes, which it is possible to access whenever you want through the day. At Resumelady, the customer's satisfaction is critical; hence they provide rewrites of resumes if your client just isn't contented with one.

A basic amount of investment can help you avail an eternity of happiness and satisfaction. At Resumelady you will receive online professional writing services which guarantee you an appealing resume you'll love to own. At Resumelady you'll find cordial and experienced writers from distinct fields who is able to advise you regarding comfort by way of the entire procedure of job seeking. At Resumelady employees are conditioned to build a good rapport with all customers to support them as well as discuss all important aspects to be revised in the resume. A good relationship can aid in creating the best resume which magnifies your functional abilities, confidence level and capabilities galore. On the web experts assist draft an perfect resume that may influence your employer positively. Why delay when you could appoint an on-line expert writer and find your perfect job appropriate away?






Friday, May 13, 2011

Resume Writing For A Highly Competitive Job Market

Most job hunters already know that a resume is a must when it comes to applying for jobs and getting potential employers to take notice, but unfortunately, most resumes are just not up to par. People actively seeking employment often fail to create an effective resume that will impress hiring managers and land interviews.


And yet, in today’s vigorous job market, at a time when layoffs are the norm and competition for jobs is cutthroat, it’s more important than ever that your resume catch the eyes of the recruiter or resume screener, who may spend no more than 30 seconds on each resume during the initial selection process. This is why your resume has to be more than a document listing your various accomplishments and achievements – it must be a successful marketing tool.

A poorly constructed resume merely lists the applicant’s job history, using bullets to state past responsibilities, and entirely neglects to take advantage of marketing techniques that make a resume stand out from the crowd. You might be the hardest-working, most responsible individual around, but if your resume doesn’t make that clear, what will distinguish you from everyone else applying for the job, in the eyes of the hiring manager?

To avoid turning in a resume that blandly lists your qualities and work history, you must transform it into an accomplishment-driven piece of writing that clearly emphasizes the importance and relevance of each accomplishment.

It may not be easy to do this, but if you approach the process step-by-step, and use the basic sections of the resume to market your abilities, experience, and potential value to the employer, reworking your resume into a marketing machine is an attainable feat.

Starting From the Top

Arguably the most important part of the resume is the first three quarters of the page. Recruiters and screeners have to wade through stacks of resumes, so they tend to scan the first part of the first page to pare down the pile, initially. If you want to survive the preliminary cut, this section of your resume should be full of accomplishments that market your particular skills and capabilities to the specific employer and position.

Of course, your name and contact information appear in this section as well, but you should also include a professional summary in addition to, as mentioned above, the list of accomplishments.

Professional Summary

A professional summary is considered by many resume experts to be more effective than a stated “objective,” in today’s job market. It works as a sturdy introduction to a strong resume, and proves more powerful in the face of the 30-second scan because it offers the recruiter a snapshot of your most important attributes.

Use the summary as a short ad all about you. Include information in the first sentence or two regarding the type of position you’re looking for, and make it clear why you are different or better than the other applicantsvying for the same position.

The final three or four sentences should identify your expertise and abilities that apply to the job in question. Make it clear why you can be an asset to the company! Acting as an introduction to the rest of your resume, the statements made in the professional summary need to be reinforced in the sections of the resume that follow.

Accomplishments

The accomplishments you decide to highlight in this section are important because past performance is a good indicator of what you can do for the company, if hired. Mentioning successes you have scored in the past is your best bet to landing an interview.

Just be sure to select 3-6 accomplishments that relate directly to the position you seek and make them quantifiable and measurable – provide answers to questions such as how many/much? Which one? What kind? This will add substance to the facts you have stated.

The best way to determine what accomplishments to list here is to think from the perspective of the employer. Recruiters want to know why you could be an asset to the company – perhaps you will save them time and money, or provide another favorable result? Highlight accomplishments that draw attention to your past successes in applicable areas of expertise.

The Body

This section of the resume profiles your professional experience. Here you make note of the companies you have worked for in the past, along with your title/position and the dates of employment (in years).

But be wary of falling into the trap of simply listing off your work experience. Even in this section of the resume, it’s extremely important to avoid compiling an inventory of job duties. Companies are interested in much more than surface achievements or responsibilities – they are looking for people who can translate success achieved in past jobs to a future position. Make it clear what you can contribute to the employer.

For instance, if your past role was that of “manager,” make it clear that this involved leading a team of people and successfully motivating them to complete tasks on budget and on time. If you worked as a cashier or bank teller, note that you were trusted with money and worked well in a customer service capacity. Any awards you won can also be stated in this section – just remember to quantify every statement you make!

Education

The final section of the resume lists educational information, as well as anything else that might be considered professional experience, such as continuing education, seminars, and other classes you have taken that are applicable to the job. Here you can also draw attention to any professional organizations and affiliations you belong to, as well as civic duties you perform and volunteer experience you have accumulated over the years, as long as it relates to the position you are attempting to win.

Always list the last degree completed first, without mentioning dates. For those with a college degree, there is no need to mention high school, as this will be assumed.

No one said job hunting was simple, so it’s important to do as much as possible to get your foot in the door. By using your resume as a powerful marketing tool, it will be much easier to successfully launch your career and snag the dream job you’ve always wanted.





pic is courtesy of jtindale.com

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Cover Letters are Vital for Getting an Interview

Finding a job is one of the most stressful situations one can find oneself in. If you are looking to land your first position it can be very intimidating. You have no idea what to expect. Yourresume can seem thin and you do not have many networking contacts.

That is not to say that it is not equally difficult to find a new job for the seasoned professional. Explaining a layoff ( or termination) or time off between jobs can be hard and sometimes embarrassing. Having the resources to cover time off between positions is hard for anyone. Finding a good position is the number one goal of anyone looking to find work.

There are many more people looking for good jobs then there are positions available. If you are looking for a position, it is very important that your prospective employer notices your application or resume. In order to do that, you need a good cover letter.

Cover letters are often overlooked by people when they are looking for a position. They can spend a great deal of money paying a professional to write their resume. They then hastily throw together a cover letter and send it off, hoping for results.

In order to get your application to the top of the file, you need a cover letterthat makes the prospective employer want to meet with you. It needs to directly ask for the chance to be interviewed. It needs to stand out from the pile of resumes that the prospective employer has to go through. If it does not, your resume, no matter how brilliantly written will get thrown in the garbage without even a second glance.

The cover letter is the first opportunity you have to make a good impression. If it is poorly written or hard to understand or does not clearly state what you are looking for, it is likely that you will not be called in for a interview. It is your chance to get your foot in the door and stand out from the crowd. In fact, I believe that a perfectly written cover letter can be more important then the actual resume itself. It is important to spend as much time writing the cover letter as you spend on perfecting your resume.

Cover letter writing is a very important aspect of job searching. A great cover letter can cut the time it takes you to get a job. It will land you more interviews and therefore more opportunities to get hired. If you are looking for a job, you need to spend as much time writing personal cover letter for each position you are applying for as you do perfecting your resume. The cover letter should be tailored to each prospective position and clearly ask for the opportunity to be interviewed. Writing a cover letter for your resume needs to be taken very seriously. It can make the difference in whether or not you have the opportunity to get the job.

Sunday, May 8, 2011

Uncovering The Truths On Resumes - Background Checks Ensure What They Write Is The Truth

Your business is you and you are your business. This statement means that anything that happens concerning your business will reflect on you as a person. This is the reason why many people do not easily trust others when it comes with their businesses. Even hiring employees had been a tough process in the recent years due to our fear of getting bad elements to penetrate our companies.


Thus, it has always been prudent to conduct a criminal background check whenever hiring a new employee. Let’s face it, not all applicants are one hundred percent honest with what they write in their resumes. And of course, they would not just tell you upfront that they had a history of criminal tendencies.

Without a criminal background check, we will not be able to know who are the most likely to have an inclination to do something untrustworthy. We cannot just take the chance of employing criminals because once they become part of the company, what they do will affect not just them but also the whole system including other employees, your customers and most of all, you.

A thorough criminal background check is the key to finally shed some light of integrity not just to your employees but also for your company’s sake. Doing a criminal record search, you will be able to prevent the destruction of your company. A common criminal record search can be done directly in the county courthouse which is called a county criminal search. With great accuracy and timeliness, a county criminal search will reveal any felony or misdemeanor recorded in the past seven years. Criminal records searches of this type can be performed with the submission of the name and birth date of the person in question.

Knowledge is power and the more information you know about your applicant, the better you will be able to distinguish the genuine from the fakes. The power to prevent and defeat the bad elements is now yours.




Saturday, May 7, 2011

Would You Accept a Job if an IQ and Personality Test Were Part of the Interview Process?


this is a terrific post that i found on a website that has interesting content-


Some companies are requiring job applicants to take personality and intelligence tests as part of the interview.  I had to take a test as a pre-requisite to employment.  I passed the test and was given the job.  However, the results of the test were not revealed to me.  I wonder just how many companies are requiring their job applicants to take these types of tests.

For some people, having to take a personality test or an intelligence test might seem like an invasion of privacy or a violation of civil rights.  However, what can these people do if they are facing another month of unpaid rent and utility bills?

A problem is, how is the test information being kept, is it being sold to companies that do research and marketing in the areas of personality research and intelligence?  I do know that call centers that take customer satisfaction surveys of people over the phone are paid several hundred dollars for each completed survey. How much would a personality and intelligence test result be worth a company that is in that sort of business?

read the rest of the post at this website-http://online-iq-test-resources.blogspot.com/

Thursday, May 5, 2011

Career Planning: Writing A Resume, Presenting Your Business Card

Career planning of a college graduate presupposes that a person should become knowledgeable in his/her professional sphere and when a person is ready, he/she may start a search for a job. By now, you have already understood what job you want, have not you? Thus, now it is high time to present yourself to your employees. Nowadays the most frequently used career planning strategy is resume writing. A resume is like your business card that presents you to people who can become your employers. If you are not very experienced in resume writing, this article is for you as it will give you a short guide to resume writing.


• Be sure to leave your phone number and e-mail (contact details). Otherwise, if you forget to mention them, your resume will be useless; an employee will never manage to contact you. There is one ticklish issue to mention. When you mention your e-mail, try to use only neutral e-mails, an e-mail like “maniac@” can produce bad impression on the employer.

• Professional history. In this subsection of your resume, state the previous places of work in chronological order.

• Strengths and achievements. Do not be too shy; do not underestimate your strong points. At the same time, do not boast, this will not be useful. You may also state your weaknesses in the resume, but be careful with this point. Let us play a trick, let us state a drawback that will be a strong point as well. For instance, you may state that you are a workaholic or a perfectionist; any employer will think it is a merit.

• Your hobbies. Make sure that the hobbies you are listing here will not harm you. Try to choose some original hobbies but do not let them show that you are eccentric and weird.

Where shall I place my resume?

• There are a lot of web sites where candidates place their resumes and employers search for them themselves.

• If you have found a vacancy, send a resume to the employer yourself.

• Take your resume with you if you are going to an interview.