Sometimes the freelance writing jobs available are those that no one wants. Or, they are those that new businesses are looking to fill. You will not find postings for the best jobs and employment because many of those jobs go to individuals who already have an established career or a good working relationship with those businesses. For those looking for career advice to find the best freelance writing jobs available, they can find a few things here that will help them get the experience they need or at least get a foot in the door.

The most important aspect of getting the jobs that you want is to present a well written portfolio. Any writer can create pieces of work to show to individuals who want a sample. You do not have to be commissioned to write, you can write just for the sake of filling your portfolio. Just remember to put the best of the best work you have in there.

Secondly, there are many types of freelance writing jobs available. Yes, it is not just the book or prized article that you should look for. Look for vacancies in smaller areas as well. This will help you to develop relationships in the field.

Strive to meet the client's needs. This will mean that you meet deadlines. It will mean that you offer the best material you can. But, it needs to meet the client's specified requirements, not necessarily what you think they should be.

Be professional, and build a website. Most businesses these days are centered around their websites. Being professional means presenting yourself in the most appropriate way.

In any case, there can be be many freelance writing jobs available to you once you are in the know. When you learn how to write to your clients needs and meet those needs properly with each and every assignment that you do, employment will be available to you. To find the assignments to start with, you may have to present yourself outright. Simply always do so in a positive, professional manner.

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Getting an education after high school is becoming more and more expensive. But it is also becoming more and more of a necessity to get a good job that pays well and has adequate benefits. For this, most young people need to attend college or some other type of additional training. Most of them can't afford to pay for their education by themselves and end up looking for financial help of some kind.

Student loans are a popular choice, but federal student loans are based on financial need, and some students do not fit into those guidelines. An alternative choice for these students or their parents is a private student loan. These are loans done through private lenders instead of the government. The advantage of these types of direct student loans is that they have many of the same kinds of benefits as federal loans.

These loans can be used for any and all college expenses. Things like tuition, books, supplies, computers, and living expenses are all things that qualify for private student loan funds. These loans are unsecured, meaning that no collateral is needed. The loans are credit-based instead. This can mean that the student might need a co-signer if they have not established a credit history, or their parents can apply for the loan instead.

A private education loan is usually a low-interest loan. Borrowers can shop around to find the best rate. There are generally no application fees to apply for this type of loan and there are also no deadlines for applying. The money can be delivered in as little as five days, and the money is given to the student instead of the school. The student is then responsible for paying for their various educational expenses.

This kind of loan has other advantages similar to federal loans. The interest and principal payments can be deferred until the student graduates from school. For most of these loans, a student is required to be attending school at least half time for the deferral of payments and interest.

When the student does graduate from college, the loans can usually be deferred for six months until the student finds employment, and then the loan holder will generally have a variety of repayment options available so that the student can tailor their payments to their income.

A private student loan is the ideal answer for students who do not meet federal requirements for financial need or whose educational expenses are not fully covered by their federal financial aid. Many lenders offer private student loans to students or their parents and the application process is simple and free. The loan requirements are usually less stringent and the repayment options are affordable for young professionals. A private student loan is a great way to finance the education of any student that needs financial help.

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So that you can decide just how critical your job hunt is in your total life scheme, let's put a kind of frame around the importance of the effort ahead.

Reflect on it.

A job is not just a job. Half of you waking hours are devoted to it. Its quality ramifies through all other aspects of your life. It determines your productivity and how far you will go in achieving full self-realization. It governs your happiness, the happiness of your family, where you live, and how well. The quality of the job you land now will inevitably affect the quality of your next one. It will even determine the kind of education and opportunities your children will have and, consequently, their future prospects. Not to mention whether your retirement years will be beautiful or bleak.

With all that and so much more hanging on the outcome, good sense says you should proceed with your job-finding campaign as though your life depends on it. In fact, most of it does.

When you get right down to it, aiming for a really good job doesn't require more effort than setting your sights on a poor one. And aiming high leaves you in far better control of the outcome. Consequently, it is plainly your duty - your duty to yourself, your family, your new employer, even to society – to proceed with your job search in ways that will produce work as close as possible to the peak of your abilities and at the highest possible pay.

Yet, few job seekers – even though their careers, their lives, are on the line – sense that such urgent considerations require a carefully planned approach. And, unhappily, it is generally not in the interest of people who know better – the employment agencies and other applicant services – to show them a better way.

So that you will know what to avoid and the strong advantage you will have if you plans your approach, it is important to understand this: Most people – and that includes others who want the job you want – do a very poor job of job finding. In the absence of adequate guidance, their only alternative is to cast about in the job market while painfully learning lessons by trial and error that have already been painfully learned, at least in some small parts, by tens of millions of applicants before them – at a great cost of time, money, morale, and employment. Virtually all make critical – and entirely avoidable – mistakes, mistakes that delay the day when they are hired.

Now perhaps you are one of the many recent unfortunate who have been downsized by their company, or maybe you are beginning a job search so you can enhance your career. Which ever the case may be, looking for employment in today's highly competitive job market is not easy. There are so many good candidates competing for the same position today, that landing your "dream job" is becoming more and more difficult.

That being the case, when an opportunity arises where you are called to go on job interviews, you need to be ready, and fully prepared. The employment interview is by far, the single most important step in landing a job. So, you have to be sure that you do well when answering tough interview questions, because if you don't, you will not get a second chance.

The difficulty is, most people don't know where to go to get highly valuable job interview tips and help. It's true there are mountains of interview questions and interviewing data available online, but the truth is, very few sites are really qualified to give you effective & proven advice.

Besides, don't you want to sound different than your competition? Don't you think the people you are competing against for your next job have combed through all the FREE job search engines interviewing information online? Of course they have. So what will give you that competitive advantage on your job search?

Unhappily, the path pursued by most job seekers is nothing like that. Instead, they take a tortuous, trial-and-error, castabout approach as they try to figure out, without competent guidance, what steps are most likely to turn up a job. For many, it becomes a desperate, soul-shattering problem. For most, heavy delays that routinely add days, weeks, even months or years to their unemployment despite the millions of jobs that, literally, are available each day but are going unfilled. Such is the impact of ill-conceived placement systems that dominate hiring action today.

Because your career is so important, isn't it worth taking five minutes now to discover exactly how my e-book can make you rise to the top of the list of candidates? You decide. It's time for you to take the stress and headaches out of the job hunting process.

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Increasingly, employers are recognizing that many critical skills cannot be effectively taught in the classroom and need to be reinforced and enhanced in the job setting.

Interactive multimedia computer-based training (IMCBT) has become the buzz term in training and business circles. Many people have heard of it, but few can define it if asked.

What is it?

Interactive. This term applies to any type of program or training that requires the learner to do more than just sit and watch or listen. The theory behind interactivity is that the individual will learn faster and retain more information than is possible through passive or non-participatory education.

Multimedia. In its purest sense, multimedia refers to any product that uses more than one medium to convey information. So by definition, a program that uses text and graphics is a multimedia product. Today, the term connotes the use of audio and video.

Computer-based Training (CBT). CBT refers to any training whose primary delivery mechanism is a computer. Facilitated discussion or exercises (i.e. with another application, with a piece of equipment, interacting with other individuals, etc.) can accompany CBT. The term used to describe the software for the CBT is courseware.

When should a company consider using IMCBT?

In 1997, instructors in live classrooms delivered almost 80% of all training. By the year 2000, computers will deliver over 50% of all training worldwide. In fact, over 50% of U.S. businesses have already incorporated some type of computer-based training. Interactive training has grown at a dramatic rate as more and more organizations see the benefits this technology can bring.

Limited manpower and financial resources, along with the growing demands of rapidly changing markets, have forced trainers to consider alternative methods of training.

Many companies need to provide some sort of training or instruction to their workers and/or customers. In fact, over 50% of U.S. businesses have already incorporated some type of computer-based training. This is especially true for technology-based firms. These companies have several options for providing needed training: they can send people to school, hold in-house training classes, provide manuals and self-study guides, and/or use IMCBT.

Interactive training has grown at a dramatic rate as more and more organizations see the benefits these technologies can bring. If you are a company who is considering implementing IMCBT, there are several questions that need to be answered.

* What are IMCBT advantages?
* What are IMCBT disadvantages?
* How do you make the decision to use IMCBT?

This white paper will help you to answer these questions and explain the advantages and disadvantages of using IMCBT as a training option. You will then be able to determine when and where your company should implement IMCBT for training personnel and/or customers.

IMCBT Advantages

Interactive multimedia computer-based training has advantages over traditional classroom training:

* better than reading a manual,
* cost-effective,
* practical,
* standard,
* better knowledge retention,
* presents a no-risk situation.

Can be better than reading the manual...

Manuals are usually more effective as a reference tool than as a learning. Self-study guides can be considered dull and boring. Many working people do not have the motivation or skills to sit down and teach themselves by reading a manual or self-study guide. On the other hand, IMCBT attracts the student's interest and can even be enjoyable to use. It would certainly work better than simply learning from a manual.

IMCBT can simulate many work situations, giving the worker practice in real-time, and that progress can be monitored and improvements measured and documented through the software. IMCBT helps transform workers unskilled in a given area to those who are proficient in that task.

Cost-effective...

Training can be expensive, and the major consideration in training is cost. The main concern a business has when it is deciding to invest in something, is the return on investment (ROI). Interactive multimedia computer-based training will give a business an average of over 100% ROI.

After the initial development cost, IMCBT will save a company a considerable amount in training expenses, as it can be used over and over again.

As the number of people being trained increases, IMCBT decreases the cost of training. This includes situations where many people must be trained, as well as cases where companies have a high turnover of personnel. Utilizing innovative and more efficient methods of training and education can have a significant, positive impact on businesses and individuals. Companies can take better advantage of their computer investment by using them as learning centers.

Practical...

When the people to be trained are widely dispersed, travel time and costs to send them to a class is prohibitive, and sending trainers to them is not practical. IMCBT allows the worker to study as this or her own convenience, without the necessity of scheduling times for classes. IMCBT programs dramatically increase comprehension and retention of information by appealing to more of the student's senses through the use of multimedia presentations. IMCBT not only provides better results than classroom sessions, but can also take up to 30% less time to complete.

Standardized...

Since different teachers and trainers have different styles of instruction, all personnel may not receive the same training. IMCBT assures standardization of the training and content presented. Everyone sees the same information and is exposed to identical learning environments. The reliability of instruction, quality of information, and presentation of materials is consistent from user to user and session to session. IMCBT is active and the student must participate.

Better knowledge retention...

IMCBT programs provide a multi-sensory learning environment that maximizes the way people retain information. Studies have shown that people remember 20% of what they see and 40% of what they see and hear. Interactive multimedia computer-based training allows people to remember 70% of what they see, hear, and do.

No-risk situations...

IMCBT can simulate many work, laboratory or field environments that may be inaccessible for on-site training demonstrations. Students can safely practice and master skills, allowing their progress to be monitored and improvements measured and documented before applying them in a potentially hazardous situation. For example, new workers in a manufacturing plan can master the skills to operate machinery before they assume their work duties.

IMCBT Disadvantages

Many companies find it difficult to keep their employees abreast of the latest technologies and techniques. A more serious problem is the fact that many employees — from the blue-collar worker to the professional — lack the basic skills they should have learned in high school.

These are some of the drawbacks to using IMCBT:

* Need access to a computer
* Must understand and know how to use a computer
* Personnel resistance
* Must be well-done

Need access to a computer...

Students must have access to computers at home, at work, or at some training location within the company to use IMCBT. Sometimes computer access is possible.

Must understand and know how to use a computer...

To use an IMCBT, it is assumed that the personnel being trained are somewhat computer literate. They must know how to use a keyboard and a mouse. Some people must be trained, at a minimum, basic computer skills prior to using an IMCBT program.

Personnel resistance...

Some people have phobias concerning the use of computers, while others balk at any type of computer function. They may feel it is too impersonal or that the computer is "out to get them". Some people may simply "freeze up" when confronted with learning on a computer.

Must be well-done...

The IMCBT must be designed and written in a quality manner for the students to keep interest and learn. A good IMCBT program will not contain too many graphics, videos, or colors. It should be pleasing to the eye and easy to see. A poorly designed IMCBT can result in boredom or even confuse the person who is supposed to learn the material. A person can learn more from a poor teacher than from a poorly designed IMCBT program.

Types of IMCBT Programs

* Software Training
* Medical Certifications
* Equipment Training
* Simulations
* Service Training
* Adult Education
* Safety Training
* Sales Training
* Orientation
* Internet Training
* Product Training
* Quality Training
* K-12 Learning
* Military Training
* Foreign Languages
* Employment Policies
* Sexual Harassment Policies
* Basic Employment Skills

How do you make the decision?

Businesses make most sound decisions based on potential return on investment (ROI). It is assumed that the company has already determined that training their personnel and/or customers is a value-added activity. Now, the question is whether or not IMCBT is the best route to take.

Criteria for deciding to use IMCBT include:

* Cost and practicality of sending learners to a class

* Availability of computers and computer literacy

* CBT development cost versus the number being trained

An effective decision can be made once these issues have been weighed.

Conclusion...

Every company needs to have well-trained personnel who will be able to do their jobs effectively and add value to the company's output. In today's age of information, knowledge is power. The more knowledge you and your employees have, the more powerful and successful your company will be.

While traditional, stand-up classroom training will not disappear, alone it simply cannot provide adequate solutions to the training and education problems of today. Computer-based training does not cook breakfast, cure baldness or do windows. It is not the best solution for all human performance issues and needs. Employed appropriately, however, multimedia training can yield significant, positive results: less time and cost, better learning and performance, and improved competitive edge.

Companies should consider using an interactive multimedia computer-based training when it is cost effective, practical, and when standardized education is needed. PCs must be available, students cannot resist using a computer, and the IMCBT must be well designed to provide the desired effect. In all, IMCBT can help to transform workers and customers unskilled in a given area to those who are proficient in those tasks.

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Many job seekers find themselves overwhelmed with dread at the prospect of hunting down a new career position on their own. That's why many people hope to hang their hats on the experience and connections ofexecutive head hunters to do their hunting for them in their ongoing (never-ending?) quest for the ultimate trophy career.

In order to convince a reliable executive head hunter, a job seeker has to plan his attack. A well connected executive recruiter will not take on just any person in a suit. You have to build a solid foundation well in advance of making contact.

Just as you need hunting gear and supplies, to track down a deer or a moose, so, too, you need to be prepared to track down an executive recruiter. Here are five tips to successfully capture the prize – the services of an executive recruiter.

Do Your Homework

The savvy job-seeker must be well armed with knowledge – not just about his or her interests and skills, but also in the head hunter's interests and specialties. Yes, it helps to approach a head hunter who understands your field and has built up connections, because there is very little need for chemical engineers at an accounting firm (although chemical makers have been forced to allow accountants into their sanctums, but that's another story).

At the same time, the executive management recruiter has no interest in your skills, even if you have won dozens of awards for the French pastries you have created.

Of course, it helps to familiarize yourself with the job market. That is the executive recruiter's job, but it is also yours.

You will also get a lot further if you have assessed your own skills, not just your desired employment. If you clearly are not qualified for what you seek, you won't sell yourself to the head hunter. And if you can't sell yourself to the head hunter, he or she won't bother trying to sell you to anyone else.

Identify Reputable Executive Recruiters and Head Hunters

Unfortunately, in the 21st century there are a growing number of conmen and scam artists who have injected themselves in the business of executive head hunters and recruiters. Therefore, as you begin your search for a bona fide and qualified executive recruiter, it is vital that you ask around.

Before you approach an executive head hunter, find out all that you can about their operations, history and experience from as many independent resources that you can access. Make it a point to find other men or women who have used their services. Find out who has actually landed jobs for other people, before placing your career in the hands of a charlatan.

Prepare a Solid Resume

OK. so this might be obvious. But it is not always done. Prepare a professional resume before you make contact with the executive head hunters on your list. Your resume is your calling card, and it will determine whether the recruiter will even want to let you waste his secretary's time.

Line Up Solid References

Before knocking on head hunter doors, make certain that you have handy a list of professional references.

Just as you will want to know the details about any executive recruiter you approach, these professionals will want to know a good deal about you as well. They will want to be able to contact your references, men and women who can support your professional aspirations with solid testimony about your prior accomplishments, your character, your skills and even your weaknesses, too.

Make sure to ask permission from each reference in advance, so they don't get caught off guard and say something like, "well, uh, let me see, um...you were calling about whom?"

Schedule a One on One Head Hunter Meeting

Finally, when you have all your ducks lined up, you are ready to meet the executive head hunter who will land you that ultimate trophy career. Of course, it helps to pick more than just one recruiter, and it also helps to schedule a meeting at their convenience.

There you have it. You are ready to go and hunt an executive head hunter. Job-searching couldn't be more fun unless it came with a candy cherry on top and a complementary subscription to Laugh magazine. Happy hunting.

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If you haven't already starting using the internet to assist you in the job search, then you are missing out on a huge employment trend. There are numerous reasons to take advantage of this powerful tool, the most important one being that employers are using the internet more than ever to find candidates. If recent internet usage studies are accurate, nearly 48% of businesses do at least some of their recruiting online. Not utilizing the internet in your job search means that you are flying under the radar for many potential job opportunities.

The internet is useful for a number of job search-related activities including: -- Searching for Jobs Online -- Posting your Resume Online -- Networking -- Company Research

Searching for Jobs Online

Million of job openings are posted online each year, many times more openings that you could possibly access on your own outside of the internet. There are a number of general employment sites that allow postings in all professions, industries, and experience levels. These sites are very large in both size and scope, but are popular with employers and job seekers alike.

If you are able to narrow your job search to a specific profession or industry, niche sites will be incredibly valuable. Niche sites are those websites that specialize in a particular industry or profession, as opposed to allowing for the postings of any position imaginable. The advantages of using a niche site are (1) that you will not need to sort through nearly as many job openings to find those that fit your qualifications, and (2) that traffic is much less at niche sites. As a result, the competition for these positions is not nearly as fierce.

In addition to standard online job boards, many government agencies (from the local to federal level) now list all available positions online. Companies with corporate websites also frequently post any job openings on the company's job announcement board. You can use any major internet search engine such as Google or Yahoo to find a specific government or company website.

A final note on online job searches: a large majority of newspapers with widespread circulation publish classified ads, including job openings, on the internet now. These ads can be accessed for free in most cases, and will give you direct access to any local position openings.

Posting your Resume Online

Resume banks are large online databases that allow you to post your resume to be accessed by recruiters and potential employers. The advantage to keeping a copy (or copies) of your resume online in a visible location is that allows employers actively seeking candidates to consider your credentials without you having to submit your resume directly to the company. Individuals worried about confidentiality can opt to leave personal identifying information off of the resume and simply provide an anonymous email address at which interested employers can reach them.

Many job boards also have resume banks, so take the time to browse around your favorite job sites to determine your options for posting your resume. Resumes can frequently be uploaded directly to the site or cut and pasted for quick posting. In the event that the site does not support this technology (or if you only have a hard copy of your resume), you will need to manually enter your resume into the site by filling out a form or typing into a pre-designated text box.

Technically-savvy job seekers may also choose to post their resume on their own hosted website, on a free personal site provided by your Internet Service Provider, or on a company website (such as Careerhunters.com) for a small fee.

Networking

Networking is one of the most successful ways to find a new job, since personal relationships often lead to opportunities that you might have otherwise never knew existed. The internet offers innumerable opportunities to network with other professionals in your field. Online forums, newsgroups, and professional journals/blogs allow you to connect with professionals who may be able to point you (and your job search) in the right direction. You may even be able to find a mentor to help guide you in your career development.

Company Research

The internet is a powerful tool for conducting research on a specific company in which you are interested. Using a major search engine to scour the web for information on a company will turn up a company's corporate webpage (if they have one) as well as a variety of other web sources disclosing information that may be highly pertinent to your job search. Use the internet, for example, to research the company's products and services, industry, competitors, financial information, history, and reputation.

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Many people are looking for proofreading jobs but have really no idea how to find them! It gets to be very tiresome trying to find answers when all you can find is just another website that is selling the information. The good news is that there is a lot of advice available to those looking for this type of employment. Here, we will give some basic advice that will help you find a good way into the field. But, remember, proof reading is a serious employment opportunity. In order to make it work you will have to work for it.

For those looking for freelance proofreading opportunities, you will find them posted and advertised throughout the internet. People are looking for individuals who want to work hard and will provide them with quality work from the beginning. Here's the trick though. How will these people and businesses know that you are worth the time and expense? How do they know you have good quality proof reading qualities? They do not know. They need two things from you in order to choose you over another individual. They need samples of your work and they need to know that you have the right training to be a proof reader.

When you are looking for jobs remember to look for all sorts of opportunities. On many message boards, you will find postings for jobs that are for proof reading. To get them, have samples of your skills ready, have testimonials of your previous work as well. And, have the right amount of training to do your job well. Proofreading jobs will come to those who can prove themselves in these areas. To get started, do a couple projects for free or at a discounted rate. Prove yourself and your education, then the jobs will come. To start out, look online at those websites that people gather at to find skilled providers. By doing a simple search for "proofreading jobs" you will find some. You may need to pay for membership, but when you have access to that many opportunities, you'll be happy you did.

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How can you find writing jobs? Do you have proven skills that can propel you in the right direction? If so, then why are you looking for fresh vacancies? The best tool to those who have employment histories is to look to the companies that you have already worked for. There, they can help provide you with more work, or point you in the right direction.

There are many careers in which you need a good education to do well. This one is no different. Employment, freelance or with a company, is available to those who have a proven track record. For those that do not, though, they will have to prove themselves in other ways. It may be necessary to take on a proofreading career in order to get your foot in the freelance door. Or, you may find that editing is not helping you and therefore look for opportunities in other related fields. If you want to be a published author, you may have to start by doing copy for websites first. You must build your experience, then you will have the opportunities that you didn't have before.

Vacancies in this field are rarely easy to get. You may be able to write an article or two that gets published, but it is not easy to get regular writing employment. You will need to establish yourself first. With a solid education and a solid set of experienced references, you will find it easier to find the jobs that you have been looking for. Without this though, you will have to take whatever openings are available until you find your way past that sealed door. However, as soon as you crack it you are likely to find a range of suitable jobs. Then, all the lowly work will be well worth it.

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Finding a work at home job is not easy. The field is very competitive, and it can take months to land a job. You can improve your chances by having a well-written resume.

The first thing to remember is that if you aren't qualified for a job, there is very little point in applying for it. Take a good look at your skills. Do you know what data entry involves? How fast can you type? Do you have a quiet room for taking telephone calls? These are questions you may need to consider, depending on the kind of work at home job you are applying for.

List your relevant skills first. If you are applying for a range of job types, you may need to rearrange these so that the most relevant skills come first for each kind of job. Remember, employers are often looking at hundreds of applicants, so you need to catch their eye right off the bat.

List your employment history starting from your most recent or current position and going back. Particularly if you have never held a work at home position, emphasize anything that shows your ability to work without supervision. Remember, this is a vital skill for work at home employees, no matter the job. Especially if you have had a work at home position before, tell why you left the position. List about 4 jobs at the most. More tend to indicate you either change jobs too often and have had a lot of jobs in only a few years, or go back too far in time to be considered relevant. If a job was short term by its nature, say so. Call it contract, seasonal or freelance, depending on which is most relevant.

If you have very little employment experience due to recent graduation from high school or college, emphasize your education history over your employment history. Take a look at the classes you took and how they might apply to the job you are interested in. If you have a college degree, do not bother listing your high school education. Include any achievements as well.

Do you volunteer? This is the time to let employers know, and how it is relevant to the job you are interested in. You can develop great skills from volunteering. Skip ones related to religion in general, as this could lead to discrimination.

If you have a relevant hobby, you can list it, but not otherwise.

For work at home positions, it is a very good idea to include your references. Three to six are sufficient. No family members or roommates, please. Former co-workers or people who work in management are good choices.

Keep your resume clean and straightforward. Do not change fonts all over the place.

If you are emailing your resume, put it in plain text at the end of your email. Do not send as an attachment unless requested. Many people will not read attachments for fear of viruses. Email your resume to yourself before sending it to an employer to ensure that the text version comes through cleanly. You may want to consider formatting it to a 65 character line to ensure that the lines wrap correctly. It's pretty much the only formatting you can do with plain text. Most people can receive HTML email now, so if you want to format, it is most likely okay, but there is always the chance that they will not be able to read it correctly, so decide if you want to format your resume that way.

Consider having a webpage with your resume on it. A free hosting service works well enough for this if you are looking for a job, but not if you are freelancing. Do not get fancy with this page. You want your online resume and portfolio if relevant to be as clean as it would be on paper.

You will want to consider having more than one version of your resume. Tailor to each job title you are considering, so that you can emphasize the skills most relevant to that job. It's not much extra work, but might just get you that job.

Finally, write a good cover letter. It should give more detail to your most important points on your resume. Do your best to give the impression of a hard worker who can work independently.

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Today's job market is competitive. Many companies receive hundreds of resumes a year, making it difficult for yours to stand out from the crowd. However, that should not keep you from getting interviews. The following 10 tips will help you learn how to get employers to read your resume and get your phone ringing.

1. Include a profile

Begin your resume with a profile, which contains a synopsis of your varied skills and educational qualifications. This profile should match the particular job you want to apply for. State your career objective clearly so that the reader gets an overall idea of your background and areas of expertise. Write this section in such a manner that it immediately catches the attention of a hiring manager, and he calls you instead of someone else.

2. Keep the resume short

No one has the time to go through elaborate detailing about your past jobs and experiences. Therefore, keep the resume short. Make a list of the most important jobs you have held and give a brief of your previous job-oriented experiences. However, in the case of technical people, resumes can extend to three pages in order to include relevant technical information.

3. Give more importance on content than on looks

One of the major mistakes people make while creating resumes is in the use of fancy fonts. Avoid using fancy fonts and do not change font regularly throughout the resume. Changing fonts regularly will distract and confuse a hiring manager. Do not use underlining or italics to add emphasis. Make your document eye appealing so that your reader can review it with ease. Use white paper and make the thoughts flow smoothly.

4. Clearly identify your skills

Do not be modest in mentioning your skills. Clearly identifying your skills will distinguish you from the other job seekers and eventually help your potential employers to select you from the rest. Remember, all you have to do is to stand out from the crowd.

5. List your educational and professional qualifications

Include any relevant education or training that might relate. Provide details of only those qualifications that match your current job search. This will help you to get short-listed more easily.

6. Focus on your job responsibilities

Starting with your present position or most recent job, mention the title of every job you have held, along with the name of the company, the city and state, and the years you have worked there. Under each position, make a list of your job responsibilities. Use descriptive verbs, such as created, increased, performed, initiated, developed, led, improved or reduced to begin each statement of your duties and accomplishments. Producing a document that is well presented, detailed and targeted will attract the attention of your hiring manager.

7. Add related qualifications and interests

Think about anything else that might qualify you for your job objective and place it at the bottom of your resume. It may include licenses, certifications, awards and achievements, and sometimes even your hobbies and interests if they truly relate. If you seek a job in a music company, for example, stating on your resume that you are a pianist will increase your chance to get that interview call.

8. Be honest with your resume

If you did not actually do what you said you did, it would be called a lie. Numerous surveys show that job applicants lie most frequently about education and employment, particularly about job responsibilities and dates of employment. Hiding gaps in employment and jobs where they were forced to leave by the respective employers is also common. There are many risks involved in lying, but many job applicants do not seem to get the message about the risks of lying. Once you are caught with a lie, you will be fired then and there. So, DON"T lie – be honest with your resume.

9. Always attach a covering letter

A cover letter is a letter of introduction that highlights your key achievements and skills and entitles you for a job opening. It reflects your communication skills and your personality. The main purpose of this document is to introduce yourself in such an interesting manner that the reader will not only continue reading your resume but also be willing to call you for an interview.

If you want to create cover letters for any career situation, position, and job level, I recommend a unique resume/ cover letter tool on the Internet today called Amazing Cover Letter Creator. I recommend this tool, because it solves the frustrating problem job seekers have when trying to write an effective resume cover letter. You can use it over and over again for all your cover letter needs.

10. Proofread your resume

After you have finalized your employment documents, check them repeatedly for errors in spelling, grammar, or punctuation. Spelling and grammatical errors can automatically disqualify a resume from consideration. If you make mistakes on your employment documents, hiring managers might presume you will be equally careless on the job - no matter how important your qualifications and experiences are. Proofread your resume and cover letter carefully.

Make your resume positive and completely error-free. If you are seeking two or three different positions, prepare two or three separate resumes, each tailored to the job you are targeting. Make your resume exclusive and unique so that it stands out from the crowd. Good luck for your career!

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HOW TO WRITE A RESUME-MISTAKE #1
NEVER USE THE WRONG PAPER!
What kind of paper should you choose when typing your resume? The color of paper you will want to use will be white or ivory. You will also want to type your resume on a heavier paper, such as a 20 lb. bond.

HOW TO WRITE A RESUME-MISTAKE #2
DO NOT APPLY TO THE WRONG JOB!
Focus on targeting your resume to one specific job. If the job you are seeking is that of a receptionist, you want the person reading your resume to know this. The employer may have several openings and not know if you are applying for the receptionist job or the maintenance position. Always make sure you reference the position you desire.

HOW TO WRITE A RESUME-MISTAKE #3
PLEASE, NO LIFE STORIES!
You want to keep your resume short; one page is optimal, more than two is disastrous. Keep your resume clear, concise and relative to the particular job market. Remember, the person reading your resume has no desire, nor intentions to read your life story.

HOW TO WRITE A RESUME-MISTAKE #4
DON'T FORGET THE PITCH!
The most important thing to remember when typing your resume is your qualifications. Write a short opening paragraph to 'sell yourself.' You want to come across as capable and qualified, yet, you do not want to sound like a narcissist, so do not over do it. Show confidence and strength through your written words, but avoid boasting.

HOW TO WRITE A RESUME-MISTAKE #5
NO MISSPELLINGS!
Always use your computer's spell checker! If you cannot spell the job position correctly, how will you perform the job? Misspellings are a big annoyance to the person reading your resume. You don't want to irritate him/her before you have even been granted an interview.

HOW TO WRITE A RESUME-MISTAKE #6
NEVER SELL YOURSELF SHORT!
Emphasize your skills, talents and achievements. Especially if they relate to the position you are seeking. Elaborate most on the skills that apply to the exact job for which you are applying.

HOW TO WRITE A RESUME-MISTAKE #7
DO NOT LEAVE OUT PERTINENT INFORMATION!
When writing about your past jobs, make sure to include their locations. Do not omit the cities and states where you have previously worked.

HOW TO WRITE A RESUME MISTAKE #8
AVOID USING WEAK WORDS!
When telling of your past employment positions, try to use the word 'work' sparingly. It is a weak, passive verb, and applies to a broad spectrum of tasks. Everyone 'works', but maybe you've 'implemented', or 'collaborated'; these types of words sound much more impressive.

HOW TO WRITE A RESUME MISTAKE #9
DO NOT CREATE A CENSUS!
It is most common now, as well as accepted, that you don't use 'profile' information. Information you should leave out are height, weight, age, date of birth, gender, marital status, race and personal health information. Also to be omitted are controversial issues such as, religious and political affiliations.

HOW TO WRITE A RESUME MISTAKE #10
DO NOT OVERLOOK YOUR REPUTATION!
Who will vouch for you? If you are going to include personal and or professional references, make sure the people you list will give you a shining recommendation. The best reference would be a leader in the industry you are applying for, or another well-respected professional. Try to use only the people who will mention your best attributes. It is also recommended that you contact the person you will use as a reference to assure that the information they will supply about you is only top notch.

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How to apply for that Blooming Good job!

Never send a CV without a cover letter!! This will provide you with the ideal opportunity to introduce yourself in a few short paragraphs. The cover letter will be used to briefly outline your skills, qualifications, experience and availability aimed at enticing the employer to read your CV. A good start is to know about the company you're applying to. To be able to compile a targeted cover letter you will need to know about the company, including: their products, history and their culture. Personalising your covering letter in line with the company you're applying to will show your interest in the job.

As with a CV, accentuate on the positive aspects of your experience - do not make any negative comments with regards to past employers/jobs etc. Concentrate on highlighting your main selling points. By attracting the reader's attention in the cover letter you stand an increased chance of having your CV read. Ensure that your CV is up to date, is honest and correct and is informative but concise. If possible, why not rewrite it with the job application in mind?

How do you write a CV?

Your CV is a personal sales-pitch aimed towards securing you an interview. Did you know that the majority of candidates fail early on in the recruitment process because of their CV? It takes too long to read, lists non-essential information and does not reflect their main selling points.

Please find below a few useful pointers for writing a CV:

How many pages should a CV be? Generally, most CVs should be no more than 2-3 pages in length - this can vary within different levels of experience. How do I tackle gaps in employment? At some point, most people will face unemployment, redundancy and various other reasons for gaps in employment. The first (and most important) thing to remember is - DON'T PANIC! If you are going to compile your own CV and you have gaps of a few months in your CV - don't lie; consider listing just the years. You will, however, need to detail specific dates in your application form. Where do I include personal information? A common mistake to make with your CV is to list all your personal information: height, weight, place of birth etc. This information is irrelevant and will take up much-needed room for other, more relevant information. It is a good idea to include your date of birth, nationality, marital status and if you hold a driving licence at the bottom of the CV - not at the top! What makes a good CV? Keep it simple, uncluttered and in an easy-to-read font (on plain white A4 paper) Keep it free from unnecessary details (e.g.: don't write lines upon lines for your interests!) Keep it free from spelling/grammatical errors - maybe ask someone to proof read it Check your personal details - sound obvious but it does happen (wrong phone number etc) If you have a job spec - match your CV to this to ensure you have included relevant skills ...but what should my CV include? Education details - you don't need to include all your qualifications from 10 years ago. State your most recent qualification(s) and briefly cover older, less relevant ones Work experience: most recent first and go backwards Key skills/areas of expertise: such as IT skills or languages Extra-curricular activities if relevant to job being applied for!! It would be ideal to include your mobile telephone number. There is a good chance you could miss a call if not at home. Also, and again, this sounds obvious - make sure you have a professional message on your answer phone - you never know who could call! When emailing your CV, please take your email address into consideration. We regularly see CVs with email addresses along the lines of "lovedoctor@emailaddress.com" or "sexylady123@sillyemail.co.uk" - this will not help present a professional reflection of you. Consider obtaining a free email account from Hotmail or Yahoo and keep job application emails separate from personal email. If you are sending your CV by post, ensure you use an A4 envelope and do not fold your CV - by the time it gets to it's destination it could look a mess. Don't forget - having a CV designed professionally is far more beneficial than compiling your own so contact us today to discuss how we can help. CV writing mistakes: Spelling mistakes: It is a proven fact that around 50% of CVs contain spelling mistakes. This easy mistake will make you seem careless and could also distract the reader's attention from the content. It may be worth considering asking a family member or a friend to read your CV and check for mistakes.

Jargon: When writing your CV you may believe that using industry-specific jargon is a good idea and that the person reading your CV will understand it but using acronyms without explaining them can be confusing to the reader and may deter someone who is not familiar with them.

Qualifications: A common mistake in a CV is to detail all your academic history - even from 10-20 years ago whilst also listing all your grades! This is not necessary. On a graduate CV or someone with limited employment history it may be useful but for others, just briefly cover your qualifications - detail your most recent achievement and list older ones. If you have vast employment experience spanning many years, the chances are a recruiter will not even read your qualifications.

Employment: When compiling your employment history there is no need to provide the address of your employer - all you need is the company name, your job title and the date you started work and finished work with them. The you can talk about your duties and achievements in each position.

Hobbies: Your CV is a personal sales tool. Any available space on a CV is limited and you want to use it to sell your skills and experience effectively. Everyone likes reading, listening to music, keeping fit and socialising with friends, so unless you have done something special - and relevant to the job you are applying for - leave it out!

Too many pages: All too often, employers will receive CVs that are too long! A good CV should be no more than around 2-3 pages (for graduate or more executive positions this may vary). The more there is to read, the less likely it is that all your skills and qualities will be noticed. Try to decipher between what information is relevant to the job you're applying for and what is not.

Unnecessary information: As stressed in the facts above - when compiling your CV, try to keep all the information relevant to the job you are applying for. Unnecessary information will take up much needed space which can otherwise be utilised for other, more important reasons to help persuade the reader to continue with your application.

Another common mistake people make when writing their CV is including their reason behind leaving previous jobs. Examples of these can be, "I got bored" or "I didn't get on with the manager". Obviously, this is not necessary, will make you look negative and will decrease your chances of being included on the shortlist.

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INTRODUCTION

There are as many opinions on the subject of resumes as there are job seekers! Some of the more popular opinions are centered on the use of objectives, summaries, profiles, title headings, keywords, reference statements, personal interests, salary history, dates, graphics, fonts, and of course, the length of the resume.

Then there is the question of format. Should the style of a resume be chronological, functional or combination? One thing is certain - the resume should sell a candidate's strengths and qualifications, and answer a hiring manager's question, "How can you solve my problem?" It should also have full contact information, be organized, and provide specific information that a hiring manager needs to decide whether or not a candidate is well suited for a position. At the very least, it should list relevant experience and achievements.

PURPOSE of A Résumé

A resume is a personal marketing document that communicates your career objective and value to a hiring company. A strong resume is carefully planned and developed (not quickly typed up) in an appropriate format (style) designed to showcase your experience and accomplishments in direct relation to a specific position.

BASIC RESUME FORMATTING RULES

· Bold and enlarge your name at the top.
· Keep the sections lined up and consistent.
· Use an Arial or Times New Roman font (or similar).
· Font size shouldn't be smaller than 11pt or larger than 12pt, except for your Name and Headings.
· Do not include pronouns such as "I," company street addresses, salary, or reasons for leaving.
· Two-page resume: be sure to fill the second page at least halfway down the page.
· Place "Continued" at the bottom of page one, and your name and "Page 2" at the top of page two.
· Use graphics sparingly unless you are in a creative field. It is safe to use a border and shading.
· Leave out personal data, photos, and unrelated hobbies, unless you are an actor/actress or model.
· If you spell out the state in your address, such as New York, spell out the states for your jobs.
· Proof, proof, and proof again!

To help you understand the main differences between various resume styles, the following illustrates the same resume in chronological, functional, and combination formats. Also provided below is a comprehensive list of common mistakes to avoid and useful tips to help your resume to compete in today's competitive workplace:

CHRONOLOGICAL

This is the most commonly used resume format. It is straightforward, and easily traces a candidate's career path and progression in a given field. Experience and accomplishments are listed in reverse chronological order, with the most recent job positioned first. Because it leaves little to the imagination and makes it difficult to hide employment gaps, the chronological resume is the most preferred format of employers and recruiters.

Chronological Format Example:

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Wireless, Inc., Brooklyn, NY 1998 - Present
Sales Representative
· Prospected and sold communications services to business accounts spanning the Northeast and Midwest regions.
· Consulted clients on the cost-effective advantages of switching over from standing services, resulting in a 15% new market penetration with revenues at $1,850 at close of 2000.
Anderson Doors, Bronx, NY 1993 - 1998
Business Development Manager
· Conducted competitive analyses on European markets to formulate conceptual strategies that cemented key alliances with distributors throughout Italy and Germany.
· Aggressively marketed Anderson's company logo and message in print and television advertising campaigns, heightening brand awareness across U.S. and European consumer markets.

FUNCTIONAL

This is a skills-based, achievement-oriented format. Experience and accomplishments are listed in sections with specific headings that extract and showcase ONLY what is directly applicable to the targeted position. Because it is somewhat vague sometimes omits dates, it is the least preferred resume format of employers and recruiters.

Functional Format Example:

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Sales Management
· Prospected and sold communications services to business accounts spanning the Northeast and Midwest regions.
· Conducted competitive analyses on European markets to formulate conceptual strategies that cemented key alliances with distributors throughout Italy and Germany.
Market Penetration
· Consulted clients on the cost-effective advantages of switching over from standing services, resulting in a 15% new market penetration with revenues at $1,850 at close of 2000.
· Aggressively marketed Anderson's company logo and message in print and television advertising campaigns, heightening brand awareness across U.S. and European consumer markets.

COMBINATION

This format combines the chronological and functional formats into one! As with the functional format, it lists experience and accomplishments in sections with specific headings directly applicable to the targeted position. However, it lists employment information under a SEPARATE category (only title, company, location, and dates). Since it easily tells the reader how a candidate is qualified for a position while also providing an employment history, it has fast become a favorite resume format amongst many employers and recruiters.

Combination Format Example:

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Sales Management

· Prospected and sold communications services to business accounts spanning Northeast and Midwest regions.
· Conducted competitive analyses on European markets to formulate conceptual strategies that cemented key alliances with distributors throughout Italy and Germany.
Market Penetration
· Consulted clients on the cost-effective advantages of switching over from standing services, resulting in a 15% new market penetration with revenues at $1,850 at close of 2000.
· Aggressively marketed Anderson's company logo and message in print and television advertising campaigns, heightening brand awareness across U.S. and European consumer markets.

WORK HISTORY

Wireless, Inc., Bay Shore, NY 1998 - Present
Sales Representative

Anderson Doors, East Islip, NY 1993 - 1998
Business Development Manager

INTRODUCTION HEADINGS
PROFILE
STATEMENTS
KEYWORDS
TITLE HEADINGS
SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS

Use any one or a combination of these headings to communicate the type of position you are applying for, and the value you will bring to the hiring company at a glance. Remember, a reader spends a brief moment on each resume. Your resume must grab their attention, and hold it!

SAMPLE PROFILE STATEMENT

Accomplished sales professional known for delivering strong revenue and profit gains in highly competitive markets, seeking a Regional Sales Manager position. Bring 15 years of solid experience and select strengths that encompasses sales territory management and key account development. Equally effective at relationship building, program development, and team leadership.
Notice that the actual title "Objective" was omitted, yet mentioned! If you prefer to use the actual "Objective" title, do not use the outdated colon after the category.

SAMPLE PROFILE STATEMENT/KEYWORDS

Accomplished sales professional known for delivering strong profit gains in highly competitive markets, seeking a Regional Sales Manager position. Strengths encompass:

Capital Sales & Marketing Team Building/Leadership
Key Account Development Client/Vendor Relations
Financial Analysis & Reporting Program Development

SAMPLE TITLE HEADING/PROFILE STATEMENT

REGIONAL SALES MANAGER

Known for delivering strong and sustainable revenue and profit gains in highly competitive markets. Bring 15 years of solid experience and select strengths that encompasses sales territory management, key account development, staff training, team leadership, presentations, and closings.
(Bold, italicize, or underline the Title Heading so it stands out.)

SAMPLE SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS

Accomplished sales professional known for delivering strong and sustainable revenue and profit gains in highly competitive markets. Seeking a Regional Sales Manager position with a leading pharmaceutical company. Select strengths encompass:
· 15 years of cross-industry experience and accomplishments with leading start-up and high-growth bio-medical companies.
· Strategically build and maintain profitable business relationships.
· Strong communicator and team leader with a pulse on ever-changing industry trends.
· Effectively manage the sales cycle process from client consultation to closing.

COMMON MISTAKES, DO'S & DON'TS

· Name and/or address is too small / too big (headings and name should be at least font size 14 to 16; address 11 or 12)
· Font size for entire resume is too small / too big / all caps (not counting the headings, text should be no smaller than 11; no larger than 12)
· Needs an Objective or Title Heading (make it clear to the reader what position you are seeking. If you unsure, consider career counseling or purchase/rent a book on career choices)
· Could use a Summary or Profile statement (show your career overview)
· Objective is weak, cliché, unclear, or vague (State what you can do for the employer; not only what you want from them)
· Resume does not support Objective (be sure to make a connection)
· Lacks accomplishments / career achievements (sell it, don't tell it!)
· Lacks industry-specific terminology / Keywords ("speak" the reader's language)
· Jobs are not in the proper order-see below for more on resume tips and formats
· Sentences are too choppy-five words per bullet (expand; make it interesting)
· Wording is weak; statements are too simple (use action verbs and a thesaurus)
· Same information repeated too many times (use a functional/combination format)
· Too many typos and grammatical errors (read it backwards; have a friend proof-read it!)
· Unrelated jobs go back too far in years (keep it to 7-10 years in most cases)
· Includes too much unrelated information (stay on track; keep the position in mind)
· Does not include enough related information (show how well rounded you are)
· Uses pronouns - "I, He, She, His, Her" (not necessary or is understood)
· Style is outdated looking (headings are underlined and followed by colons ":", the word "duties" is used, and uses "responsibilities:" as subheadings)
· Second page is too short - only a third down or less (condense/combine)
· Second page does not include your name (what if the second page is misplaced?)
· Too much or not enough white space (looks empty, inexperienced)
· Uses the full address for employers (list only the town and state)
· Uses full employment dates such as 12/11/01 (list only the month and year)
· Lists reason for leaving or explains situation (if you must, save it for the letter)
· Includes a Professional References Available Upon Request statement at the bottom of the resume (not wrong, but not necessary. Remember, this is not an option. If the employer wants references, they will ask for them)
· Includes a cover letter / salary information on the resume (use separate sheets)
· Includes unrelated personal interests and hobbies such as "enjoy reading, long walks, music, travel, knitting, and puzzles" (include interests ONLY if it is related to your career Objective)
· Includes personal information such as married, homeowner, two children (Leave off. It is unrelated to the position, and risks possible discrimination)

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 Writing an Objective

A growing trend in new resumes is to give short shrift to or eliminate the "objective" heading altogether. Here are some compelling reasons to include this very important career statement in your resume and a top-10 tips list for writing a memorable one.

Seizing an opportunity to submit as many applications as possible, some job applicants are omitting the traditional objective statement element within their resumes. Rewriting objectives to accommodate every possibility seems challenging, while including over-generalized statements seems to do more harm than good. Nevertheless, when one considers the real purpose of an objective, the inclusion of it appears to be mandatory.

Whether written as "Career Goal", "Objective", or "Position Desired", the time honored first statement is still worthy of its place in a successful resume. When a cover letter cannot be submitted, the objective statement may be the job seeker's only chance to introduce himself. Traditionally, the objective statement has served two purposes. The first obvious purpose is to state clearly for the record, what type of position an applicant desires. Second, this introductory sentence suggests to the potential employer what type of skill set or qualifications the applicant has. A third purpose for an announced career goal, one that is frequently misunderstood or under utilized all together, is the implied employer benefits, or the "what's in it for my company" angle.

Stating your career objective should include a real job title whenever possible. Sentences that skirt concrete job names, such as, "...seeking a position in marketing...", suggests two things to the reader; one, the applicant has no idea about what types of jobs may be available in marketing and two, the applicant is desperate, and willing to take any job. Eagerness is good. Desperation is fatal.

Defining the position desired is much more effective when the company's own job titles are used, such as, "...seeking a Sales Management position..." or "...pursuing an entry-level Public Relations Specialist position...". If you are responding to an advertisement that you have seen, use the terminology in the ad, otherwise, do a little digging. A business's website can be very helpful for locating job title information specific to the company with which you want to apply. Admittedly, it takes a little more effort to customize and rewrite each objective to match a potential employer's need, but the benefits will outweigh the time spent.

Capturing your qualifications in a one or two sentence resume objective can be a challenge, but by using the identified job title combined with a descriptive term such as, "experienced" or "certified", the challenge is easily met. Think about your skill set in broad terms. Are your employment skills developed in areas of administration? In sales? Perhaps you have been employed as a carpenter. Are you skilled in cabinet making or exterior framing? Identifying your general abilities will give you some good leading sentences for your career objective, even in cases where you are looking to change careers. Consider the following examples:

Recent high school graduate, previously employed in fast-food service industry, and aiming for a new position --

Dependable and enthusiastic student with experience in sales and public contact seeking opportunity as a Market Researcher Level I.

Experienced specialty carpenter seeking a supervisor title --

Desire to obtain a Carpenter Shop Foreman position utilizing extensive trade skills and experience in the theatrical and special events industries.

Finally, when writing a career objective, resume writers should consider the potential employer's point of view. In a competitive job market, where hiring personnel sit behind stacks of non-descript resumes, the inclusion of a little "self-promotion" is critical. Ask yourself, "what do I have that this company wants?". Is it doing whatever it takes to get the job done? Is it attention to detail? Then write, "dedicated" or "quality-conscious". Consider terms that describe your work habits while offering something positive for the employer.

Composing a good resume requires focused time and effort. Never try to hurry the process by leaving out the who, what, and why of your employment search. By utilizing the following top-10 tips list as a guide for developing your objective statement, you will be well on your way to creating your own job winning resume.

The Top-10 Tips List for Writing a Winning Objective Statement:

1. Choose two adjectives to describe your work style such as, "Dependable and conscientious student seeking..." or
   "Detail oriented and quality conscious accounting clerk..."
   
2. Inform your potential employer of "what is in it for them", such as, "...seeking to utilize 10+ years experience in the industry..." or "...proven sales record..."
   
3. One sentence is good, but making sense is better! If warranted, two sentences or in some cases a short paragraph will improve an objective statement.
   
4. If you know the job title for which you are applying, use it. There is nothing to be gained in trying to define a new position for yourself.
   
5. If you have read the job description in an advertisement, try to mirror one or two of the words listed. For instance, if the job announcement has indicated a desire for a self-starter, then experiment with using the same term or one with the same meaning, such as in this case, "self-motivated" or "self-directed".
   
6. As always, grammar and spelling count! It is expected that resumes will have short sentence fragments, abbreviations, and little punctuation, but your career objective should be written without error. Proofread!
   
7. Avoid being too general in your statement. It is better to do a little research with the company and uncover some of what they may be looking for than to write an over-generalized objective that essentially says nothing to the employer.
   
8. Ambition is nice, but statements such as "work my way up to..." will impress no one and may undercut your credibility.
   
9. If possible, experiment with writing an objective without the use of the word, "I". It can be done! "I", is more appropriately used in a cover letter. Using "I" and "my" too frequently may loose a recruiter whose context and focus is on what the company can gain from a new hire.
   
10. Do not promise more than you can deliver! If you are chronically late, then describing yourself as punctual will only undermine your credibility later when it is discovered that you have misrepresented yourself.

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Going up against identity thieves is like playing a very intense game of chess. A player makes a move, but not before thinking of the opponent's potential moves. It resembles an intense game of cat and mouse, where there can be only one winner.

Avoiding identity theft with outdated technologies can make even the most passive jobseeker cringe with fear. Technology isn't the only cause, however. Companies that once monitored employees for stealing and padding timecards are now charged with observing the personal information of clients from their own employees. Add international outsourcing to the mix, and we have the potential mix for disaster.

What does all this have to do with your job-search? Conducting a job search using the Internet has definitely transformed how jobseekers contact hiring companies. The availability of copying and pasting a text version resume into a form at a company's website has laid the foundation for an easier and more convenient process. No longer does a jobseeker need to spend hours with the traditional method of printing and mailing his resume to countless recipients.

With the Internet's convenience, a breeding ground for scam artists continues to grow each year as well. Identity thefts have increased to an overwhelming 10 million cases per year, and many of them are the result of phishing — not surprisingly, the employment industry is under attack as well.

Phishing is an attempt to extract personal information through what appears to be authentic emails. If you are job searching, an email from a seemingly interested recruiter, for example, may not raise a red flag with you. You may think that the contact person and company listed are legitimate, yet looks can be deceiving. Knowing what to look for and how to spot fraud (or potential areas for abuse) can be the best deterrent to ensuring you have a safe experience while conducting your job search.

First, be leery of out-of-the-blue employment inquiries. Scammers and spammers follow the same patterns. Mass emails are sent to an enormous list of recipients. Not everyone on the "hit list" is searching for a new job; however, only a small number of people need to be convinced, or tricked into believing, the email is authentic in order for the scam to be deemed successful. Ask yourself a series of questions: Did you send your resume to this company? Visit the company's website (type the web address into your browser, avoid clicking the link in the email); upon further examination, are they reputable? How did they hear about you? Call the company if necessary. Always proceed with caution when you receive a cold-contact email from someone.

Second, avoid responding to requests for personal information, such as a social security or credit card number. Let's say you receive an email from what appears to be a well-known job bank. The email states that your account needs your contact and payment information to be updated in order for service renewal. You click on the link and you're taken to a page that looks, feels, and "smells" right. You proceed by submitting the requested information.

The link appeared safe, but you were taken to a site designed to defraud you. Reputable companies will rarely ask for personal information via email so examine every incoming email for validity.

Third, when purchasing from an online business, ensure information is encrypted upon hitting submit. Encryption, in short, ensures the private information you submit online is kept safe. When at your browser, you can recognize an encrypted form when the root URL starts with "https:" instead of "http:" or seeing the padlock present in the bottom right corner of your screen. Purchasing from companies having added security measures in place can ensure your private information avoids the hands of ill-willed people.

Fourth, read and understand the privacy policy of sites you patron. The Better Business Bureau possesses a strict policy for members who do business online. A privacy statement must be displayed on the company's website, no exceptions. High business practices are a necessity for maintaining the trust of online buyers; and the BBB understands the critical importance of trust among consumers.

A privacy statement outlines what type of customer information is collected and how it's used. Alliances and partnerships, for example, arrange for Company A to sell or pass on client information to Company B. The information transferred or sold could be basic, like name and email address, or far more in-depth like name, address, social security number, and phone number. No matter how basic or detailed the information, the company must have the logistics spelled out in their privacy policy.

Last, studies have shown that an estimated 80% of online fraud goes unreported. Go "against the grain" and fall into the minority of 20%. If the proper authorities aren't aware of the magnitude of fraud that actually exists on the Internet, then getting the much-needed funds to battle the problem will take more time. The Internet Fraud Complaint Center (ifccfbi.gov) has an online complaint feature for individuals to report phishing attacks. The IFCC report process requires basic information, including information on the perpetrator and type of fraud.

In addition to filing a complaint, forward the fraudulent email to the legitimate company. Phishing is smearing the good names of countless companies, and notifying the company about the scam can also help the fight. Companies brought onboard will ensure well-rounded efforts to this epidemic.

Avoid giving your information out freely. Whether you're at the end of a phishing attack or the job application requires more information than you're willing to provide, proceed with caution. Much like you'll analyze job opportunities; intensely examine each person who receives your personal information. With safe online practices, you'll get the best return from your job-search efforts — instead of spending hours filing a police report and calling credit bureaus and credit card companies.

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Important Points When Writing an English CV

The purpose of an English CV is to sell yourself: An English CV is seen as an opportunity to sell yourself and should emphasise your skills, experiences and achievements. You should include successes and wherever possible include facts and figures to support your claims. Do NOT include information that is negative.

Spelling and Grammar Check: Correct spelling and grammar are of absolute importance in an English CV. Employers will NOT tolerate any mistakes. It is very important that a native English speaker checks your CV before you send it to an English-speaking employer.

CVwriting.net can provide a full spelling and grammar check and suggest any changes to the content of your CV in line with what employers expect.

Do not include a photo: Most English employers do NOT like to see a photo on the CV and, in fact, including one could work against you. Only include a photo if it has been specifically requested for a particular job application.

English Language skills: This is a very important aspect of your CV and your professional career. You must explain your knowledge of the English language under the 'Skills' heading. Describe your level of knowledge as one of the following:

· Bilingual - You can speak English as well as your mother tongue

· Fluent - You have a complete working knowledge of the English language, both written and speaking.

· Working knowledge- you have a good practical knowledge of English for professional purposes.

· Conversational - You can converse adequately in English with good comprehension.

English CV Format:

Your name, address, telephone number and email address should appear at the top of your English CV. Always use a capital letter at the beginning of a name including the name of a street, town or country. Do NOT put CV or Curriculum Vitae as a heading.

Your CV should be produced on a word processor, not hand written, and be available softcopy as a Word or PDF file. If you are printing your CV you should use good quality paper.

An employer will scan your CV in thirty seconds looking for keywords that are relevant to the vacancy he is trying to fill. Keep your CV short and concise so that your positive attributes stand out. Your CV should be no more than two pages long.

Do NOT use initials for company names or qualifications, as these could be meaningless to an English employer. Always write the words in full.

Headings:

1. Profile: This is an opportunity to summarise the skills and experience you have described elsewhere in your CV. It is the first part of the CV that the employer will read. It should be only one or two paragraphs long otherwise the reader may not go on to read the rest of your CV. You should also include your career aspirations.

2. Achievements: list any special achievements from your career history or education that may make you stand out from other candidates. List no more than six.

3. Career History: This is a very important part of your CV. The most common CV format is written in reverse-chronological order. Start with your most recent employment and work backwards. List the dates between which you worked for each employer; the name of the employer, your position and the location at which you worked. Write a short description of the company and then describe your responsibilities including facts and figures as much as possible.

4. Skills: In an English CV it is necessary to list particular technical, professional or other skills separate from your career history. An English employer will not necessarily be familiar with non-English professional qualifications therefore you must explain each one.

5. Education: You must enter your highest qualification first, then where achieved, and then dates. Make sure you explain any non-English qualifications or try and put the English equivalent, e.g. Baccalaureate, French equivalent to the Higher Leaving Certificate and A levels. Do not include grades unless they are particularly impressive.

6. Personal details: It is not necessary to include all of your personal details on an English CV as your skills and experience are of paramount importance. However, you need to include your nationality and it is normal to include your Date of Birth such as: 11th November 1967. Do not put your age.

7. Interests. You do not have to include your interests on an English CV but they will help to give the employer a rounded picture of you as an individual.

Signature: It is not necessary to personally sign your English CV.

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