Tag Archives: resume writing

5 Secrets To Better Resume Writing

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Your resume is the first impression you present to a potential employer, and if it’s not up to scratch, this document might find its way to the bottom of a dusty rejection pile. To ensure that your resume writing stands out from the rest, consider following this helpful advice from professional resume writers.

1. Focus On Content Over Style

While a sparkly, hip-looking resume packed with cool fonts and design elements might seem captivating, the way your resume looks means nothing if the content is weak. A hiring manger might appreciate your design skills, but if you don’t have the actual skills needed for a specific job, your resume probably will be pushed to the side. When resume writing, your focus should always be to create a document that quickly shows a potential employer that you possess the skills needed for the job.

2. Quantify, Quantify, Quantify

A hiring manager typically spends about minute and sometimes less time looking over each resume they receive. Your resume needs to quickly show concrete skills and accomplishments. Therefore, if you write, “tasked with managing company human resources team” this makes less of an impact than “Managed 20-Person Human Resources Department.” This allows the manager to see how many employees you managed. Whenever possible, show the scope and size of the projects so that the hiring manager can see what you have been able to accomplish. If you “were tasked with improving customer retention,” switch that to “Designed customer retention program, increased customer retention by 35%.”

3. Be Active

People use passive verbs all of the time, particularly in casual conversation. Passive verbs lack finesse and the waste precious words on your resume, so find active verbs as these strongly state your accomplishments and qualifications. For instance, don’t say you “were responsible for training new employees” Instead, you should write “Trained 75 new employees.” This switches to an active verb and quantifies the number of employees you trained. Use strong words such as supervised, integrated, developed, managed, directed, designed and increased.

4. Review Your Resume

If you are writing your own resume, rather than hiring professional resume writers, it is essential to review this document carefully before sending it out. Do not rely on the spelling and grammar checker on your word processing program to complete this task. Too often, this system doesn’t discover all of the errors. Not only do you need to review the resume, give it to several other people to read over carefully.

While professional resume writers, particularly those Top 5 Resume Writers recommends, usually do not make careless spelling and grammar errors, it is still wise to look over these resumes as well. Pay attention to your contact information. A resume writer will have no idea if your email address and phone numbers are correct, so double and triple check this contact information.

5. Let A Professional Handle The Task

At Top 5 Resume Writers, we have already completed the hard work for you. We have found the best resume writers available on the internet, and we strongly encourage you to use our suggestions and allow professional resume writers to create, or at least edit, your resume.

You can always customize this resume when applying for a slightly different type of job, but if you use a top-quality resume writing service, at least you will have the confidence in knowing that you have a dynamic and error-free document.

5 Answers To Tricky Interview Questions From Our Resume Writers

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Often, your past can come back to haunt you, and this is especially true when you are looking for work. For instance, if you have been fired from a job, have a work gap or perhaps spent time in jail, these issues might come up during the interview process. Being prepared to handle the challenges is more than half the battle. Our resume writers have a few tips that might help you answer these tricky questions with finesse.

1. Answering Questions About Time Spent In Jail

Often, an employer will ask whether or not you have been convicted of a crime. If you have been convicted, it is always best to be able to explain the situation. Rather than fret, be able to discuss some positive consequences about the arrest. Perhaps you were able to spend time in prison advancing your education or perhaps it brought about other positive changes in your life.

Your resume writers will not disclose that information on your resume, so it will be your job to bring up the situation and explain it. It is always best to be upfront and honest. Simply state that you served time in a jail or correctional facility for a specific crime and then quickly move on and address what you learned from the experience. Potential employers are more likely to hire you if you are honest about the situation than if you don’t disclose the information. Keep in mind that most convictions are public records, so it doesn’t take a lot of digging for a potential employer to discover the truth.

While employers can ask about convictions, employers in several states cannot ask about arrests that failed to lead to a conviction, such as California. However, it is legal in most states to inquire about arrests as well as convictions. When it comes to convictions that have been expunged or juvenile records, you typically do not have to disclose the information although with expungement there are some exceptions to the rule.

2. Explaining Why You Were Fired

Honesty is always the best policy, so if you have been fired from a recent job, it’s best to be upfront. When asked about being fired, you should answer the question in the most positive manner possible. Being objective about your perspective and your boss’s perspective is a good strategy.

For instance, if there was a personality clash between you and your boss, address that issue and then state what you took away from the experience. If you were let go because you lacked a specific skill, you could describe some tangible ways that you are planning on improving this skill. Maybe you will take some classes, attend a seminar or read books about the issue. As resume writing experts, we know that it is crucial that you are as honest as possible whether it’s on a resume or during a job interview. After all, it just takes a quick phone call to discover how your former boss views the situation.

3. Explaining Significant Gaps In Work History

Resume writers often create resumes for people who have employment gaps, so we know that it is not at all uncommon for a person to have experienced a period of time when they weren’t employed. In some cases, such as a gap of just a month or two, your resume writing can showcase the years during which you were employed at a specific job rather than the month and year.

However, if you have a significant gap of six months or longer, it is best to be honest about the gap. Perhaps you stopped working in order to go back to school and further your education. Perhaps you took time off to care for children or an aging parent. Perhaps you even took a year off to travel or volunteer with a charity organization. Rather than look at the gap as a shortfall, simply focus on the benefits you received. Every experience teaches us something, so describe that in a tangible way during the interview.

4. Addressing Drug & Alcohol Issues

If you have spent time in rehab and are now in recovery, you might be wondering if this needs to be disclosed during a job interview. Technically, you are under no obligation to disclose this information, and employers are prohibited, by the Americans with Disabilities Act, from discriminating against people with addiction issues, provided that they are no longer using drugs or alcohol.

However, sometimes there are other issues that show up on your resume or in your past that make this disclosure unavoidable. For instance, if you were arrested or convicted for a drug or alcohol-related offense, this might need to be disclosed, even if you opted for drug treatment instead of jail time. Likewise, if you have a long employment gap at some point due to drug or alcohol use, you might need to be forthright and simply discuss your previous struggles while focusing on your strengths. Many people will admire your hard work in recovery rather than simply judging you because of the addiction.

If you are in recovery, especially if you are only a few weeks or months out of rehab, be sure that you are prepared for the challenges of the job hunt and new employment. Interviews and starting a new job can be very stressful, so make sure you have a good support system in place. It also helps to get a good night’s rest and eat healthy foods to keep your body as healthy as possible.

5. Impending Pregnancy

While there are few things in life more precious than impending parenthood, it does make the job hunt a tad more difficult. Technically, prospective employers cannot ask you if you are pregnant or ask if you intend to become pregnant. Likewise, it is also illegal to deny employment based on pregnancy. However, if there are many candidates for the job, the hiring manager could simply select another candidate, and it could be extremely challenging to prove you were passed over because of the pregnancy.

If you are very obviously pregnant, it’s best to address the issue and perhaps describe some of the ways in which you’ve prepared to balance your parenting obligations and work obligations. If you already have children, you can simply discuss how your plans have been successful in the past. It is important to note that family leave and medical leave benefits typically do not apply to employees who have been with the company for less than a year.

No matter what type of tough question you might face, practicing your answers will boost your confidence. Hiring a top resume writing firm and focusing on your resume writing and interview skills can make it easier to overcome these obstacles and present an impressive package to a potential employer.

4 Huge Resume Writing Mistakes

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Resume writing can be overwhelming. After all, this one or two-page document can make or break your chances of employment. When you start the resume writing process, be sure to avoid these 4 huge resume writing mistakes.

1. The Killer Errors

You might think a spelling error is the worst type of error you could make on a resume. It certainly will not boost your chances of scoring a job interview if you have a spelling error on your resume, but one single error might not kill all of your chances. Obviously, if your resume is riddled with errors, you aren’t going to look attractive to prospective employers.

However, beyond the obvious spelling errors, failing to double check your contact information truly can be job killer. Even if the rest of your resume writing is flawless, listing an email address or phone number incorrectly makes it kind of tough for a hiring manager to get in touch with you. Likewise, if you provide incorrect contact info for your references, this also can kill your chances of being hired.

2. Being Honest Is Key

You might think that a white lie or two won’t really hurt anyone, but it certainly can make it impossible for you to get a job. When you are resume writing, don’t falsify information. Don’t list skills you don’t have and don’t lie about your educational background.

Rather than lie, simply craft your resume writing so that it showcases your strengths and be prepared to discuss problematic issues in an interview. For instance, if you have a gap in employment, rather than trying to fudge the dates for which you worked for certain companies, just be honest about the gap during an interview. If you spent a year climbing mountains in Tibet or took a year off to write the great American novel, you may as well come clean. Perhaps you can present the hiring team with a few concrete skills you learned during this gap that improve your ability to be a great employee.

3. A Messy Resume

By messy, we don’t mean that your recipe is stained with ketchup or dribbled with soy latte, we mean that the design isn’t clean, sharp and focused. The best resumes are those that are easy to read and feature a clean design. When resume writing, stick with just one or two basic fonts and don’t add any pictures or decorative touches.

In addition, when resume writing, keep your verbiage simple and to the point. Don’t write large, complex paragraphs about your work experience and qualifications. Stick with dynamic, active sentences that quickly showcase your skills. A hiring manager might have to sift through a pile of 100 or more resumes. This person doesn’t have time to read your three page extravaganza about every life experience you’ve had. Try to keep it to one page, if possible.

4. Including The Wrong Information

There are many items that should be included during the resume writing process. This includes your educational background, your work experience, any pertinent additional training and your general qualifications. In some cases, an objective statement describing your goals also is needed.

The items you should omit during resume writing include your age (employers can’t even ask how old you are anyway), your religion, your marital status, how many kids you have, your hobbies and your interests. Hiring managers typically cannot ask many of these questions in the interview, and the answers really shouldn’t affect your job performance. Companies are simply looking for well-trained, hard-working innovative employees with a positive attitude.

Resume writing is a difficult skill, which is why we always encourage people to hire a professional to craft your resume. We have listed several resume writing services that consistently produce high-quality, dynamic resumes. Take a look at our reviews and then get started on your path to a great career.

3 Things All Resume Writers Know

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A resume isn’t just a piece of paper that lists your qualifications for a specific job; it’s your chance to make a first impression on whoever might be hiring you. Nothing cuts your chances faster than a poorly crafted resume, which is why so many people come to us to locate the best possible resume writers. Over the years, we have discovered a few resume tips that you might find valuable.

1. Keep It Simple

No resume should be longer than two pages, and professional resume writers are trained to create a resume that includes all the important information without being verbose. A person who is looking to hire is probably sorting through dozens of resumes, and most only get a quick glance. It’s more important that your resume is simple and strong and meets the criteria for the job you are seeking.

Resume writers understand the importance of organization. For instance, when listing job experience, be sure to start with the most current position you have held. Employers might look at all of your job experience over the years, but they are much more likely to be interested in your experience during the last five years.

When writing your objective, keep it short but not too vague. It’s hard to be impressed by someone who wants an “engaging, challenging position with growth possibilities.” Doesn’t everyone want that? Instead, tailor the objective to the job. For instance, a person seeking a job as a computer technician should succinctly list their years of experience and knowledge of a wide variety of software and hardware. An engineer might briefly list certain certifications they possess.

Along the lines of keeping it simple, keep the design of the resume simple as well. You don’t need four different fonts and graphic designs cluttering up your resume. Use one font, skip the extra design elements and simply state in concise, clear language who you are and why you are qualified for the job. Professional resume writers understand that content is more important than design when it comes to a great resume.

2. Use The Right Words

One of the reasons why people hire resume writers to craft a resume is because these professionals know how to write and know how to make you appear to your best advantage. It’s all about presentation and language.

You could state on a resume that during one work experience, you were “responsible for 25 employees,” but it sounds better to state that you “managed 25 employees.” You could list that you “worked on a wide variety of personnel tasks.” However, it would be better to be more specific and state that you “handled payroll tasks, organized employee seminars and used Microsoft Excel for inventory management.” Employers wish to know what you can do, so don’t make vague, passive statements on your resume.

Also, it is imperative that all of the information on your resume is correct. Obviously, you don’t want any spelling or grammar errors, but other types of errors can be just as costly. For instance, perhaps your phone number or email address is incorrect or maybe the phone number of a reference. If employers can’t get hold of you or your references, it’s kind of difficult for you to actually get the job. If you hire resume writers, be sure the information you provide them is correct, otherwise, you will be wasting your time and money.

3. Network Your Resume

Finding a new job is a job, so treat it seriously. Once professional resume writers craft a great resume for you, it’s time to get out there and network. Talk to previous managers and co-workers and, if necessary, enlist the services of a head-hunter. In many cases, when it comes to job hunting, it can be all about who you know.

Once you hand in a resume, be sure to follow up with a quick, friendly phone call or email. Chances are good that many people handed in a resume, but only a few followed up after handing it in, and these might be the people who get the job. Give the hiring team a few days to look over the resumes, and then call or email and ask if any decisions have been made. If the job posting has a specific closing date, be sure to give the hiring team or manager a week to look over resumes before you call. However, if the job listing states that you should not call to follow up, be sure to respect that request.

It never hurts to consider hiring professional resume writers. These are experts that truly know what hiring managers want to see and how to make your resume stand out from the pack. Our goal at Top 5 Resume Writers, is to provide you with the best possible information about the resume services out there and help you choose resume writers that will provide you with the best possible resume.

Why Resume Writing is Better Left to the Professionals

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Resumes – they are one of the most important things we’ll ever write. Resumes are your first impression (aside from a cover letter) to any prospective employer, and if they are not a clear reflection of your awesomeness, you won’t make it to the next stage. You’ll make it into the trash can.

Learning to craft an irresistible and well-written professional resume can take hours and hours of expertise and know-how. Relying on professional resume writers to do the heavy lifting for you is a stellar way to land at the top of the heap. Why? Because all resumes are simply not created equal.

Why DIY Doesn’t Always Work

Few things are more frustrating than never hearing back from volumes of job submissions. If this is your reality, your resume is probably the culprit. It’s paramount that you find an expert resume writer to fix your resume before you lose yet another opportunity.

Why are resumes so difficult to master? Because, for one, editing your own work is always challenging, no matter the specific content. Your resume is highly personal, it tells the intimate story of your professional experience, and you’ve likely been using it for months if not years. That makes it exceedingly difficult to be objective, and to properly analyze. You may have glaring errors that you’ve missed through multiple edits, and working with a professional resume writer can eradicate many of these errors on the first pass.

Language and Formatting are Essential

Without significant research and obvious writing skills, knowing how to format and craft a resume is not innate for most people. Presenting your objectives, work history, and overall skill set in a well-crafted resume requires writing finesse. Furthermore, resumes have to look clean and polished to garner any attention – those that look messy and poorly put together won’t even receive the luxury of a read through.

Nothing, and I mean nothing, puts off potential employers more than misspellings and grammar errors in a resume either. A single mistake can cost you an interview. Employers wisely feel that if candidates can’t spend the time to be detailed-oriented in a perfected resume, they likely won’t exude the care and attention the position requires either.

As you can see, resume writing is tricky business; if you’re in the market for a new job, don’t trust this imperative element to landing your ideal gig to anyone other than  bona fide resume writing experts. You deserve the job of your dreams; make sure your resume reflects the best you possible!

Tina Courtney-Brown has been writing for the web for almost 20 years.  She possess a writing degree from Loyola Marymount University, and has advised writing across multiple formats – including resumes – for companies like Disney and JDate. She has produced and marketed innovative content for major players and boutique startups , with fortes including social media, SEO, massively multiplayer games, social networks, resume writing, and project management. Tina is also a certified Reiki practitioner, herbalist, nonprofit director and published author.  Learn more at her personal website, or find her on Facebook and Google+.