Career Diagnostics - Blogs

Administrative Resume Tips

no@spam.com (Jeff Marin) — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 00:00:00 PDT

As the employment market has evolved with the struggling economy, so have the standards by which job candidates are evaluated. The competition amid administrative positions is fierce. In order to stand out it is essential that an administrative resume be polished and professional.

All resumes are created equally, right?
In fact, there is a substantial difference in the quality of administrative resumes. The ones that follow a generic chronological template are likely to wind up in the trashcan. The function of any resume is to pre-sell yourself as a job candidate. It is critical to realize that this is a marketing tool. What separates the great from the mediocre is the quality of advertising.

So, what are the marketing concepts that can be applied to resume writing? A great administrative resume will clearly define why you are a better candidate than everyone else is. In marketing terminology, they call this the differential benefit. Here are a few tips:

• The most basic sales concept is that of meeting the consumer’s needs. Know what qualities the employer is looking for. Read the job advertisement to see what qualifications are being asked for. Then draft a list of how your skills will help them meet their goals. Use this list to create your objective, and repeat it in the cover letter.
• Consider using a combination format of functional and chronological. These list your skills first and relevant employment information second. Here is a good source of administrative resumes that provides both types of resumes. This can be a powerful way to bring your abilities to the forefront, unless you have a history of impressive employers.
• Include testimonials. This not only lends you credibility, but also immediately makes a statement about what a valuable employee you are. If you don’t have a testimonial, then ask for one or pick a quote form a letter of recommendation.
• Market yourself as a brand. Make a list of your top five administrative skills. Write a summary underneath each one that describes how you used this particular skill to improve the company that employed you.
• Write like a professional. Administrative resumes should be free from spelling and grammar errors. Anything less than perfection will send a message you are not thorough.
• Never lie on your resume. Do not invent things that are not true about yourself or highlight a skill that you are unable to perform. Focus on the things that you do well and any special training that you have received.
• Image is everything, especially when that is all that someone has to go by. Remember, potential employers don’t know you. They will judge you based on the impression they get from your resume.

Words and Terms That Ruin Resumes

no@spam.com (Jeff Marin) — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 00:00:00 PDT

In today's up and down economy, and with the jobs market feeling a bit strained, many people are seeking ways to differentiate themselves from the competition through their resume. In many cases, your resume is the only thing that a potential employer knows of you in the initial employment application process, so it pays to make sure it is the best it can be. However, many people do not realize that the language they use in their resume may actually be hurting their chances of getting a job, and these mistakes may be more common than you think.

First and foremost, do not omit essential information. Far too many people put things like "negotiable" when answering the question of desired salary. It is almost self explanatory that the salary an employer offers you is negotiable, as you are the one seeking employment, not them. As well, many people choose to put "references available upon request" in the references section of their resume. To do this is rather pointless, in that there was no reason to even have a section for references if you weren't going to list them. In fact, it would be better to not even include sections for salary or references if you are not willing to list specific information.

And when answering questions about previous employment and experience, it is important to cast yourself into the role of a leader. Try to use words such as "led" or "managed" to show that you took charge of your previous position. You are wanting to convince a potential employer that you are the best candidate for the position and not just someone with experience. You want to present your skills as a leader within an organization, as employers are not wanting to babysit someone that simply has "experience."

Finally, avoid using words that are overly general. By describing yourself as having "people skills," or as someone that is a "hard worker," tells an employer that you don't actually possess these skills. Why? Because you are not proving it with examples. You are simply telling them what they want to hear, and that won't cut it. If you plan to show a potential employer that you work hard at everything you attempt, then it is better to prove this with examples from previous employment and life experiences. Remember, you will have plenty of time to impress a potential employer with your people skills when you get an interview; until then, concentrate on your resume. In order to find examples of resumes that work, you might want to search online for a sample resume site that can offer you examples of a sample resume that employers will be attracted to.

Should you go for permanent or interim?

no@spam.com (Henry Carter) — Fri, 22 Jul 2011 00:00:00 PDT

If you're in the lucky position where you can choose what job you do or even what hours you can take, then it can be beneficial to understand the value of both permanent and interim roles.

Permanent roles require to work for a company, as the name suggests, permanently. For the foreseeable future, you are their employee and they are your employer. It's a mutual agreement; providing some workers with the personal and financial security they crave.

In a permanent role, you typically work 40 hours or more per week. Many jobs offer a Monday - Friday schedule, with weekends off; however in some roles, you'll have to work shifts. Either way, you'll get a fixed salary, some benefits and a set amount of paid holiday. This means you can book a week in the sun in August, and you'll be able to head off with no worries. However, permanent work does lack a certain degree of flexibility that some people require - this is where interim work can really come into its own.

Executives with many years' experience in their particularly field often excel in interim roles. An interim role is one where a person is required for work for a fairly short period; typically anything under six months. They are generally hired by the company to achieve a certain aim - be it to facilitate a period of change, introduce a new team, complete an important project or help a CEO get settled into their role.

It can also be a way for employers to test the waters before hiring a candidate permanently; although this goes against what many interims want out of their role, so is a rare occurrence.

The main benefits of working as an interim are the flexibility, the handsome financial rewards, the benefit of being able to change jobs whenever you like (within reason) and the chance to meet lots of new people. You'll also gain lots of different skills, build up a diverse work history and tell future employers you were responsible for meeting a big goal. It's a great option to take and one you should really consider.