Writing a resume is a difficult task partly because it is tedious. It essentially requires us to go back in time and try to recollect what we did. That’s the easy part, although not necessarily an enjoyable one. Once that is done, the next thing to do is to try to explain how our experience and qualifications will benefit a potential employer. Here’s where many people get stuck. We know what we did, but it is a real drag having to explain that to others. Where to start? What to say? How to say it? Where to put the emphasis? Where to stop?

There are no rigid formulas to resume writing. Our experiences all differ and we have to make them compelling the best we can. A good way to start is to look at resume samples on the Web and see the ones that catch our attention. Another way to approach resume writing is to purchase resume templates already formatted, so that at least half of the problem is resolved. You would be surprised how hard it is to format a decent resume and how much time you can waste trying to make your resume look good.

Once the background work is done, the next part is to go through many drafts of your resume and with each draft improve bits and pieces of it so that after a few drafts it starts to make sense. If you are wondering whether or not you are spending too much time or effort drafting your resume, let me tell you that it is not unusual to go through as many as 10 drafts, so don’t give up after 2 or 3. The more drafts you go through, the better your resume will become. Also, in addition to revisiting your resume many times, let your mind rest between each revision. You will be surprised how a little perspective will change your view on things.

Remember that you have to approach the resume, not from your perspective, but from the perspective of someone who knows nothing about you and is looking at many job applications. This is where you have to seek the input of your friends and family members. Let them take a look at your resume and listen to their feedback. Is your resume clear? Is it compelling?

Who would the employer pick… not for a job, but for an interview… is the question that you must ultimately answer when you review your resume. If and when you can affirm with conviction that you stand a good chance of getting an interview with your resume as drafted, then you know it is ready to go. Actually, that is the second mistake that many people make. They think that the resume is supposed to convince the employer to hire them. Wrong! The resume is only to convince them to allow you to advance to the next level, the face-to-face meeting.

With the above general guidelines in mind, good luck in drafting a resume that will serve as a stepping stone to land you your next job.

As the recruitment firm that introduced IT contracting to Australia we have put together a list of do’s and don’ts for your next resume. If you are in IT and want more success out of your applications then you need to follow this advice. The fact is we still only work in the IT industry, and our advice is what is getting results for our clients today. So these tips are not theoretically, they are what work in real life situations everyday. You should use these tips yourself to ensure your resume stands out over all the other candidates when you apply for an attractive job.

As you know, IT work is generally technical in nature, which can sometimes make it is easy for candidates to get lost in the detail of their work and forget about formatting and the nature of the content. The goal of this article is to provide you with advice that will increase the probability that you’ll be selected for an interview. That is after all the only goal your resume should have. After that its up to you to showcase your skills and experience in person.

Therefore, without any more time, here are some very important resume tips that you should follow when putting together your next resume.

• Use bullet points, rather than having big chunks of text that is hard to scan through.

• Use MS Word, in preference to a pdf file.

• Use standard font types and minimal effects such as fancy borders or colors. Use only several font type and size combinations throughout the whole document. This will minimize potential compatibility issues between different Word application versions and minimize reader distractions.

• Tailor each resume and cover letter for the position you are applying. If possible, try to use similar terminology that which was used in the advertisement or job description.

• A resume of between 3 and up to a maximum of 10 pages is reasonable if you have an established career. Beyond this, it may be worth reviewing and removing irrelevant information.

• Remember, ‘white space’ is important. Set out your resume so that it does not appear cramped, and ensure there is enough space between relevant sections.

• Providing a technical skills matrix means that whoever is reviewing your resume can see at a glance your areas of expertise. You may wish to indicate your skill level for each skills listed (e.g. Advanced, Intermediate etc.), or indicate how many years of experience you have for each.

• Providing information on the technical environment per position gives an idea of how relevant and up to date your skills are, and the depth & breadth of the environment in which you worked.

• Give an insight into the organization/ company you worked for. Is it a large multi-national? How many employees? What is the nature of the business? Don’t assume the reader has heard of the company or understands what it is the organization does.

• If you were working on a particular project, provide details of the size and budget of the project, in terms of how many resources were involved and the dollar value of the project.

• Personal skills - you can either incorporate your key strengths in your personal profile, or list these separately. This gives the reader a more in-depth understanding of exactly what you as an individual can offer.

• Avoid putting a photo on your resume. Keep other graphical images to a minimum.

• Use the past tense and choose strong descriptive verbs - i.e. Managed a team of 8 Developers.

• Avoid speaking about yourself in the third person. i.e. John Smith is an IT Professional … , rather it should read … An IT Professional with 8 years experience

• SPELL CHECK your resume. Additionally, get another person to check that it reads correctly and that there are no other errors or grammatical mistakes.

If you are looking for an IT position in Australia (or elsewhere), be sure to follow these exact tips, as they will help you to stand out over your competitors and land you more interviews.

More often than not, people feel overconfident and treat the approach a bit too casually. However, you should make sure that both the cover letter and the resume are well drafted, so that they make a lasting impression on the reader. They should be planned to stand out in content as well as presentation.

The Importance Of A Good First Impression

The First Impression is usually the Last Impression. In today’s highly competitive world, creating a good first impression is extremely important. This is where the resume plays a very important role in contributing towards success in landing a job. A resume is the most effective tool that can help you win a coveted interview opportunity.

How To Create A Good First Impression

Writing an impressive resume is an important part of your job search preparation. Keep in mind that your resume is indeed a catalog of your abilities. Here are a few steps on how to write a resume that will leave a lasting impression:

- It is very important to create your resume in a professional and appropriate format. There are two basic formats that are used - Functional and Chronological.

- When creating your resume, you can use the free resume forms that are posted on the Internet. However, be careful that your resume doesn’t end up looking like a cookie-cutter template.

- The two most important factors to keep in mind while creating your resume are correct grammar and proper punctuation. Using proper punctuation marks is vital for conveying clear and precise business messages. A resume that contains plenty of grammatical errors creates a bad impression. If you are unable to proofread your own resume, get another professional or a friend to do it for you.

- Make use of industry-oriented words that help you to come across as a highly knowledgeable and professional person.

- Most people think that a comprehensive resume that describes all their past and present achievements is the best way to showcase their skills and expertise. However, this is not true. As a rule, you only need to go back about 5-6 years. Unless you are a recent grad, that job you had in high school is probably irrelevant.

Whether or not you have a professional degree from a coveted institute and are on the lookout for an entry-level position, it is important to market yourself efficiently. Your main aim should be to display your abilities, skill, work experience, educational qualifications, projects, achievements and anything that might work to your advantage.

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Learn the best way to answer job interview questions for a successfulinterview with expert interviewing tips in this free online career related video clip. Expert: Don Varney Bio: Don Varney was one of the first 33 members of the US Air Force to receive the Professional Performer Award, an award created in 1974 to honor excellence in the Air Force. Filmmaker: Mark Sullivan

Walking into a job interview wearing the wrong attire is like showing up at a black-tie event dressed for a costume party. A bad move you’ll instantly regret.

Here is a video that will discuss the most commonly asked interview questions. You will also learn the 5 Basic Principles of how to answer any individual Job Interview Question. The way you answer a job interview question is as important as the answer itself.

Going for a job interview? Take a look at the top 10 tips you need to remember if you want to land your dream job. Brought to you by InsuranceWorks.ca

A man, interviewing for a Management position, answers the common interview question: Why should we hire you? This is an example of a GOOD way to answer this question. Created by Fresno, California’s most respected Recruiting, Staffing and Human Resources consulting firm — Denham Resources.