Do you want to know how to build a resume step by step?
Are you interested in making the resume creation process easier and faster?
If you answered yes to the questions above, I think you will enjoy the rest of this article because I will be talking about software resume builders.
Have you heard of them before? Just in case you aren't familiar with these software applications we'll take a quick look at them right now.
What Are Software Resume Creators?
A software resume creator is just a computer application. It is a computer program. Some people are intimidated when they see the term computer program or computer software but it's nothing to be scared of. Your web browser is a computer program. Are you afraid to use your web browser? I didn't think so. When you see the terms software application, computer software or computer program just think of your web browser as being an example.
The software resume builders are specialized tools that serve one purpose: to help you to write a resume.
How Do Resume Builder Software Applications Help You?
The best of these resume builders are designed to be incredibly easy to use. They walk you through a series of questions step-by-step. As you answer each of the questions the application asks of you, the resume builder adds the information you provided in your answer to the proper section of your resume.
Yes, imagine this for a moment. As you are answering each question, the software is actually writing your resume for you.
Now, I don't know about you but this is very exciting to me. Any time you and I can make a task much simpler just by using a software tool I am all for checking it out. I want to make everything I do as simple and enjoyable as possible. Why? Well, first why not? I mean why would I want it to be difficult and stressing? That would be rather silly for a goal, right?
So, for me, the decision to purchase a resume software creator is a very easy one. This software allows me to build a resume step by step. Also, I can use this software again and again whenever I need to. Heck, I can even use it to create resumes for my family and friends. I enjoy helping other people very much so that is a great added benefit in my opinion.
However, the primary reason for my purchase is simply because I want to always work smarter; not harder. How about you?
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Friday, October 15, 2010
Sample Resume Objectives - Good, But Summaries Are Smokin'!
Since college I've been told that a resume ought to have an "objective statement" at the top. Maybe you've been told the same.
I'm here to tell you somebody's been lying to you!
Well, not necessarily, but maybe. Every resume has an objective, but not every resume has to have an objective statement. So before you get the urge to search online for sample resume objectives, keep reading.
Every resume has an objective. How you TALK about that objective in the resume is a different matter entirely.
An objective statement simply states your objective. I got a four-year degree so I could make brilliant statements like that. But it's true, and most of the sample resume objectives you'll find online are statements of what the job seeker wants.
That's a mistake. A bad mistake.
A good resume objective statement should tell the reader what the candidate will do for him. Specifically, it ought to tell him what profit the candidate will add.
No, I'm not kidding. Here's an example of what I mean:
"A highly experienced sales and marketing professional with comprehensive strategic planning and implementation skills, and $27 million in total profit improvement added in 8 years, seeking a position as a Sales Manager where these skills will add similar or greater value."
Wow! That objective statement screams, "Keep reading!" Do YOU know any hiring manager or executive who would turn his nose up at $27 million in 8 years? I don't. It's at least worth talking to you about, which means you'll get an interview. What if it was only $1 million, or $100,000? Whatever the number, it's money, and that counts.
And that, folks, is the magic. Everything in the job search process should have a focused purpose, and be done on purpose. The purpose of your resume and cover letter is to compel an interview. A strong objective statement like that can help.
Feel free to start with a sample or three. Just be sure to modify any sample you use. Keep the good and scrap the bad.
But is that the best you can do? Hardly.
I have nothing against objective statements, and you can find some solid sample resume objectives online. My only gripe is that using a solid objective statement is settling for good when there's a (typically) better alternative.
That alternative is the resume summary. Some might call it a "Profile," or a "Summary of Qualifications," or even just "Qualifications." Whatever the name, it's a grab-'em-by-the-throat killer. Here's an example of what I'm talking about:
"Savvy, results-oriented leader with proven success in managing multimillion-dollar software product rollouts to disparate sales channels. Background includes launching a high-productivity expert development team, increasing revenue by $2.5 million and achieving unit profitability within nine months (six months ahead of plan), at Widgets, Inc., with leading technology and feature-rich product releases to meet known demand. Critical thinker and adept negotiator who can apply extensive industry knowledge to profitable vendor partnerships and revenue-enhancing co-branding opportunities. Expertly directs development, technology integration, and customer demand discovery. Published author, and frequent keynote speaker at industry conferences."
Good grief! If the example resume objective a few paragraphs ago was solid, that summary will leave a reader gasping for air.
Put a summary like that in a resume (with your own qualifications in it, of course), and you'll almost certainly get a phone call for a job interview.
I can hear you saying that whoever has the summary you just read can walk on water. What about lowly old you? Here's what I used on my last resume, and I wasn't a high-powered executive either:
"Results-oriented software developer and consulting project manager with six years' experience at Big 5 firm. Experienced OO developer with particular expertise in Java and Extreme Programming (XP). Over seven years' experience developing software and managing projects in challenging, fast-paced consulting environments. Demonstrated ability to acquire technical knowledge and skills rapidly. Innovative problem solver, able to see the business and technical sides of a problem. Proven leadership, negotiation and problem resolution abilities. Exceptional communication skills, both oral and written. Published author and conference speaker."
See? That summary needs some improvement, but it shows mere mortals can do it too. That means you can.
A powerfully stated objective statement makes your resume pop. A powerfully stated summary makes it a thermonuclear explosion. Most others in the resume pile (and there's always a pile) have objectives that translate into "get a job." Then you come along with a Sherman tank summary. They're dead meat.
Make no mistake, job search is war. Powerful summaries give you an advantage.
(c) Copyright 2005 by Roy Miller
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/
I'm here to tell you somebody's been lying to you!
Well, not necessarily, but maybe. Every resume has an objective, but not every resume has to have an objective statement. So before you get the urge to search online for sample resume objectives, keep reading.
Every resume has an objective. How you TALK about that objective in the resume is a different matter entirely.
An objective statement simply states your objective. I got a four-year degree so I could make brilliant statements like that. But it's true, and most of the sample resume objectives you'll find online are statements of what the job seeker wants.
That's a mistake. A bad mistake.
A good resume objective statement should tell the reader what the candidate will do for him. Specifically, it ought to tell him what profit the candidate will add.
No, I'm not kidding. Here's an example of what I mean:
"A highly experienced sales and marketing professional with comprehensive strategic planning and implementation skills, and $27 million in total profit improvement added in 8 years, seeking a position as a Sales Manager where these skills will add similar or greater value."
Wow! That objective statement screams, "Keep reading!" Do YOU know any hiring manager or executive who would turn his nose up at $27 million in 8 years? I don't. It's at least worth talking to you about, which means you'll get an interview. What if it was only $1 million, or $100,000? Whatever the number, it's money, and that counts.
And that, folks, is the magic. Everything in the job search process should have a focused purpose, and be done on purpose. The purpose of your resume and cover letter is to compel an interview. A strong objective statement like that can help.
Feel free to start with a sample or three. Just be sure to modify any sample you use. Keep the good and scrap the bad.
But is that the best you can do? Hardly.
I have nothing against objective statements, and you can find some solid sample resume objectives online. My only gripe is that using a solid objective statement is settling for good when there's a (typically) better alternative.
That alternative is the resume summary. Some might call it a "Profile," or a "Summary of Qualifications," or even just "Qualifications." Whatever the name, it's a grab-'em-by-the-throat killer. Here's an example of what I'm talking about:
"Savvy, results-oriented leader with proven success in managing multimillion-dollar software product rollouts to disparate sales channels. Background includes launching a high-productivity expert development team, increasing revenue by $2.5 million and achieving unit profitability within nine months (six months ahead of plan), at Widgets, Inc., with leading technology and feature-rich product releases to meet known demand. Critical thinker and adept negotiator who can apply extensive industry knowledge to profitable vendor partnerships and revenue-enhancing co-branding opportunities. Expertly directs development, technology integration, and customer demand discovery. Published author, and frequent keynote speaker at industry conferences."
Good grief! If the example resume objective a few paragraphs ago was solid, that summary will leave a reader gasping for air.
Put a summary like that in a resume (with your own qualifications in it, of course), and you'll almost certainly get a phone call for a job interview.
I can hear you saying that whoever has the summary you just read can walk on water. What about lowly old you? Here's what I used on my last resume, and I wasn't a high-powered executive either:
"Results-oriented software developer and consulting project manager with six years' experience at Big 5 firm. Experienced OO developer with particular expertise in Java and Extreme Programming (XP). Over seven years' experience developing software and managing projects in challenging, fast-paced consulting environments. Demonstrated ability to acquire technical knowledge and skills rapidly. Innovative problem solver, able to see the business and technical sides of a problem. Proven leadership, negotiation and problem resolution abilities. Exceptional communication skills, both oral and written. Published author and conference speaker."
See? That summary needs some improvement, but it shows mere mortals can do it too. That means you can.
A powerfully stated objective statement makes your resume pop. A powerfully stated summary makes it a thermonuclear explosion. Most others in the resume pile (and there's always a pile) have objectives that translate into "get a job." Then you come along with a Sherman tank summary. They're dead meat.
Make no mistake, job search is war. Powerful summaries give you an advantage.
(c) Copyright 2005 by Roy Miller
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Free Resume Writing Software - Get Your Resume Done For Free
As is the case with any technology that is used, one must weigh the good and the bad points and the same is true for the resume writing software. The most evident benefit of using free software is that there is absolutely no cost involved. Only access to the net and an operating system that is compatible with the product are needed.
Another advantage of using software that writes resumes is that all the templates are generic enough to adapt to just about any career type or field of experience or interest. This type of generalization can allow people to ensure their resumes are personalized as far as possible as well as give them templates and guidelines that can assist them in finishing the resume. The templates are exceedingly helpful and the resume writing software generally offers a number of styles and templates including functional, chronological, technical and hybrid.
For new employees and for those with limited work history like recent graduates, the functional template is ideal. For those who have a substantial work history and number of achievements to their credit in their career, the chronological template will work best. There are those who have worked for a lengthy time period but have held only one job title in spite of work responsibilities advancing and changing over time and for such people the hybrid template, which is a combination of chronological and functional, is best suited. For people with very specific skills such as compute professionals, trades people, medical technicians and others, the technical template is suitable.
Most free software which write resumes provide options for emailing ones resume, posting ones resume online and producing follow up and covering letters or emails.
Along with the benefits, there are also a few drawbacks involved with the resume writing software. Perhaps the biggest disadvantage is that most of the templates have a tendency to be structured and resistant to modification and change, which means that one cannot really deviate from the template much, despite the requirement of additional space or the need to do away with some sections or headings of the resume.
There is also a very limited range of fonts, graphics and characters one can choose from to use in the covering letter or resume. These free software usually do not have the advancement required for professional and high level resumes because the resume writing software does not have options that highly trained and skilled professionals require in their covering letter or resume. It is recommended that these type of professionals go for the specialized advance level resume writing software or service which writes professional resumes.
There is some sort of support for both free and purchased resume writing software programs, but the ability and scope of the free software programs is mostly limited when compared to that offered by a purchased software package.
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/
Another advantage of using software that writes resumes is that all the templates are generic enough to adapt to just about any career type or field of experience or interest. This type of generalization can allow people to ensure their resumes are personalized as far as possible as well as give them templates and guidelines that can assist them in finishing the resume. The templates are exceedingly helpful and the resume writing software generally offers a number of styles and templates including functional, chronological, technical and hybrid.
For new employees and for those with limited work history like recent graduates, the functional template is ideal. For those who have a substantial work history and number of achievements to their credit in their career, the chronological template will work best. There are those who have worked for a lengthy time period but have held only one job title in spite of work responsibilities advancing and changing over time and for such people the hybrid template, which is a combination of chronological and functional, is best suited. For people with very specific skills such as compute professionals, trades people, medical technicians and others, the technical template is suitable.
Most free software which write resumes provide options for emailing ones resume, posting ones resume online and producing follow up and covering letters or emails.
Along with the benefits, there are also a few drawbacks involved with the resume writing software. Perhaps the biggest disadvantage is that most of the templates have a tendency to be structured and resistant to modification and change, which means that one cannot really deviate from the template much, despite the requirement of additional space or the need to do away with some sections or headings of the resume.
There is also a very limited range of fonts, graphics and characters one can choose from to use in the covering letter or resume. These free software usually do not have the advancement required for professional and high level resumes because the resume writing software does not have options that highly trained and skilled professionals require in their covering letter or resume. It is recommended that these type of professionals go for the specialized advance level resume writing software or service which writes professional resumes.
There is some sort of support for both free and purchased resume writing software programs, but the ability and scope of the free software programs is mostly limited when compared to that offered by a purchased software package.
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Monday, October 11, 2010
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