UNDERRATE  your resume at your peril…It’s not easy to devise your own resume – one that works and gains you an interview.

Every day we receive job applications, mainly ones that include an attached resume. Most of the time the resume as presented, does not reflect the advertised position. In fact, we often comment that we have no idea why the applicant is interested in the position as they don’t appear to have any work experiences, skills or abilities that match the advertised job.  The resume MUST help the reader and potential employer understand why you would be the best person for this job. How do you do this? Here are some major tips…

1. Match the advert. Read and study the advertised position and ensure that you can actually perform a minimum of 80% of the tasks required. Once you are certain that this job is achievable for you, tailor your resume to reflect the requirements of the job. For example, if the job asks for experience, and you have that, then check that you have highlighted this in your resume.
2. Research the company. Find out a bit about the business, like, who, what and where so that you have some background into the job and the company. This information will help you to devise a stronger application.
3. Ask a friend.  Seek friends and/or family and ask them to check your resume and solicit feedback and any help to improve the “look” and the content. Often we are unable to boast or promote our own achievements, yet our colleagues and family will often tell us how good we actually are!
4.  Proof read. Proof read. Proof read! Don’t forget to read the end result carefully, slowly and check it all for not just spelling errors, but for appearance and layout too!

In summary, these are just 4 helpful hints on acquiring a solid and “active” resume.  If you are still unsure, please go to https://www.eatherrecruitment.com.au  or contact Ivana on 0404056278 for a quote on our Resume writing service!

Ivana Agapiou Resume writer and career advisor

The post RESUMES are underrated – start rating it! appeared first on Eather Recruitment.

 Job search is filled with opportunities to worry, stress, and disappoint.

When you start your job search journey, understand it could be an emotional  roller coaster.  It’s normal to feel some angst, but not too good if the trip is full of it.

Like any journey, it needs a plan. You  have to find the right advertisement; for the right kind of job;  at the right company;  and all for the right reasons. Then there’s the application itself as as well as the wait to hear back from the employer. Let’s explore some of these stages of job search

Right Advertisement

It usually means setting up “alerts” for many of the major companies as well as on-line companies like SEEK. Some job adverts look amazing, too good to be true even! “like no experience necessary, we train you” stuff. Read between the lines and be skeptical.  Always follow your instincts and first impressions. Remember that the advert reflects the image of the employer. Reading the advert, you may gain a sense of their culture or personality. If there are “cringe” factors or unbelievable statements like “we want a super human who can delight customers 24/7  you might want to think twice before you send your resume, or hopefully it piques your interest and you apply anyway.

The right kind of job

The general rule is that you should only apply for jobs where you can hand on heart say ” I can do 80% of all of that”. That’s the minimum.  if they ask for mandatory qualifications, then you will NEED those. Naturally, you will have to like the tasks and responsibilities also. Check that you actually WANT to perform the work/job. You may be well suited, but ask yourself if you do you want to work in that field and in that role? The grass is not always greener, so make sure its a leap ahead of where you are at now

The right reasons

Money of often the main motivator. Lets face it – it is!  The trouble with this reason as the major motive for applying for a job is that it may land you into a role that is soul destroying; erodes your family life and freedom and keeps you going because you like what the money can buy. If that’s the only reason, than expect to give something up or a lot up, in return. The best reason to apply for a particular job is for the experience, the enhanced learning, the workplace and the sense of accomplishment. Yes, you want to be paid and as long as the salary marries with the job responsibilities, and meets IR wage /legislation that’s really the bottom line.

Your best foot forward in the application

The majority of time spent in your job search should be on securing the best resume and enticing cover letter. DON’T send the same resume to every job advert unless all the adverts are the same! Adapt your application to fit/suit the requirements and nuances of the advert. DO NOT LIE. The way to the employer’s attention and the way to gain an interview is to match your skills. experience and knowledge to the requirements of the job.

The right company

We always hear of Employer of choice workplaces and companies.  Voices whispering ” Did you hear how much they pay their staff?” or stories about the amount of time off  the staff receive etc. Yep. There are great companies to work for. Yep. They do exist. Yep. apply when they advertise for sure.  But make sure YOU like them too and for all the right reasons.  So, we are back to the right reasons again.

In summary, do your research, not just on the advert; the company background – but on yourself. Is this really, really what you really, really want? Don’t act so desperate that you accept a job that you eventually resent. Speaking of desperation, during the job search phase many of us dread the waiting for a response. We may act desperate here too.

The Waiting

Many companies have a structured recruitment phase. Often the bigger the company, the longer they take to recruit. However, small business owners who are time poor, may also take a long time to contact you. Sadly, all too often, many don’t call; write or email you back at all. This wait period is, and can be, highly stressful. To ease your anxiety, make a list of all the jobs you applied for. On this list, include the Company name; the job outline;  the date you applied (or their closing date for applications)  and the reasons why you applied. That way, if /when you get THE CALL, you will be prepared. This is important to do especially if you have applied for several jobs at once. There is nothing more unprofessional than responding to that all important call with “who are ya?” or even worse, “what job did I apply for?”

Lastly, you got the call! and now all you have to do is prepare, prepare and prepare for the interview, break a leg!

for more information go to www.figjamresumes.com.au

Ivana Agapiou

Ivana Agapiou resume writer and career advisor

The post Chance is a fickle thing, job research is not appeared first on Eather Recruitment.

Big fish are attracted to the right bait – is your resume the “right bait?”

Ever wondered why you never hear back from your job applications? Are you frustrated with not landing an interview, let alone “that”  job? Do you send out the same resume  for a variety of jobs?

Consider job searching is just like fishing.  Seasoned fisherman know that you need 3 main things to capture “that” particular fish.

The right bait on the right line – 

Resumes are not supposed to be one size fits many. They should be tailored and and pertinent to the advertised job. They should tell the reader that you have most of what they are after – the experiences, the skills and the knowledge required to perform the job that they advertised. Don’t make it difficult for them to see the “fit”. Don’t be too abstract and fancy. Just like a fishing lure, attract them to your resume, with attractive, yet highly relevant information. It’s important to meet at least 80% of the criteria or your resume will fall into a waste area and just be food for other less important fish.

The right time and place

You may want to apply for a CEO position, and you may even do a great job. However… are you really ready? Is this the right time, and is this the right organisation? Make sure you research and investigate not just the future of the company, but the demands of the role.  Realistically revise your work history. What aspects of your past and current career make you a serious contender for this role? Can you match your skills, experience and knowledge to their requirements? Hate to harp on…but you need to meet at least 80% of their essential criteria to get to a shortlist,let alone to the interview!

The right technique

Yes, you can send your resume in for loads of jobs, and yes, you can feel like you have invested a great deal of time job hunting, but if your technique is always the same, you may just be attracting more of the same.  AND be super frustrated. If you are lucky, perhaps you get little nibbles, little bites, enough to ruin your bait, (and your day)  but not enough to land you that interview.  Not all jobs are the same, therefore not all applications should be the same. It’s not a factory. It’s not a science. But it is common sense and a mark of a great communicator, if you can step into the reader’s shoes and consider what it is that they really, really want!

In summary, consider the end-game and the fish (the jobs) you want to attract . Which fish do you want to attract? Imagine what will attract them to you. Because, just like employers, not all fish are the same, you need to stand out and at the same time, look like a perfect fit! Will you be the solution that they are looking for? Will they rush to your application and want to contact you immediately? if not, why not?

Hopefully, if nothing else, you will think twice before sending out copious resumes and applications. One size does not fit many.

Ivana Agapiou career and outplacement advisor ; resume writer

#resumes #resume #resumewriter #jobs #jobapplications #FIGJAMresumes

The post Landing that big fish is just like landing that big job! appeared first on Eather Recruitment.