A resume is a living, breathing document! It should NEVER remain static, if it does, it will loose its relevance and perhaps become redundant.  Workplaces and work requirements are changing rapidly and it’s important for job seekers to get a professionally written and rewritten resume completed for their job search.  What does this mean for the applicant  who is looking for a job now?  Today’s job seeker must have a well-written resume; the resume that is rich in content,  concise and with wording that showcases career achievements, capabilities  and accomplishments as it pertains to the job that they are applying for!    The resume must demonstrate diversity in skills and capabilities based on technical skills, and where possible, volunteerism, languages, publications, and awards and recognition.

The job seeker should be careful when hiring a resume writer.  They can be sucked into ridiculously expensive resume writing services with very little return on their career search investment.  Some resume services charge between $1-2,000K and the result is essentially ‘a pretty resume’ that on appearance looks great, with borders, fancy text, and filler words, but very little Return on Investment, because it’s loaded with subjective verbs versus objective descriptors.  Some claim that they can “re-brand” the applicant.  This is often marketing bunk! Re-branding sounds a bit too fake for me!

There are resume certification services that claim their resume writers are the best qualified  – but those certifications are not necessarily important.  And, you don’t necessarily need to meet face-to-face with those resume writers – that just makes you spend time and money that is not really necessary.

You do want to use a resume writer with hundreds, if not thousands of resumes under their belt and loads of positive reviews and references.  You do want to see samples of those resumes when you are shopping around.  A professional resume writer will also explain the process to you,  for what they will do with your resume.  They will explain the process, the steps, and work interactively to reword and design the best-practices of the resume rewrite formatting.  Good resumes service companies will offer smaller and affordable packages, so even if the job seeker is unemployed, they can afford the services (this means the resume writer is empathetic to the job seeker’s financial circumstances).  You want to get a ‘good feeling’ from the resume re-writer’s personality, where you hear their empathy and just know they are on your side and will work hard to really make your resume shine to recruiters.

EDUCATE YOURSELF ON RESUMES AND RECRUITING PRACTICES:

Statement claim 1:                       

You need to rewrite the resume for every job you apply for …

Response 1:              

Not necessarily so,  if you write a ‘capability’ resume, for all your skills, experience, strengths, and education, that one resume only needs to slight adjustments for each job application.

Statement claim 2:           

Resumes should only be 2 pages long

Response 2:              

Resumes can be longer than 2 pages. Agencies and employers are looking for the most qualified candidate in experience, which means you may need to ‘load’ that resume with far more content to really compete with the dozens or even hundreds of other competitors for those  jobs.

Resumes for private sector companies can be one page (if new to job market and fresh graduate) and

to up top four pages (if experienced careerist).

In the main, Resumes used to be submitted in paper form.  Loads of filing cabinets took up lots of valuable office space.  Now,  most resumes are required to be uploaded  and digitally stored.  And, now the recruiters can search that database of resumes in the entire database or only within the job requisition pool of applicants using  Search criteria for the more vital key words in a resume and find the more qualified candidates in a few key strokes.  They don’t care how long the resume is (now) because they let the search engine do the identification of the more qualified candidates and only need to glance over the resumes now for  key words and phrases. In summary, it might just be a machine that decides if you are shortlisted to an interview!

TAKE ACTION – be proactive

Commence  the process of updating and obtaining a rewrite of your resume TODAY with the best resume writer in the marketplace so you, as the job seeker, can be ready to actively (or passively) search for that next exciting career job!

Ivana Agapiou resume writer

The post Resumes need attention and updating appeared first on Eather Recruitment.

A DIY resume 

It’s sometimes, an uphill battle to present a resume that’s just right.

We will labour over what to include, what to delete.  We are conflicted over what is relevant for the position we are applying for, and so often, when we create and write our own, we have a distorted view, we see the world from our own perspective, not from the reader’s viewpoint.

Let’s be honest, many of us are also unable to objectively read, let alone, edit and proof read our own writing

A good resume writer knows the industry standards and the major requirements of a recruiter whether that’s the  internal HR departments or small business owners. The Writer will forge your resume to relate to the reader. It will match to the job advertised; it will be a resume with a point of difference!

Contact figjam resumes for a free consultation and quote for your next career move

 Ivana Agapiou Resume writer and career advisor 0404056278

The post DIY Resumes? are some things better done by others? appeared first on Eather Recruitment.

There is a difference between written references and  verbal referees, know which to insert in your resume.

Let’s explore the differences and which should you use in your resume. 

Firstly, a reference is a written document that describes your work and performance, usually it is full of praise. Some applicants like to attach a formal reference letter to their resume. Whereas, a Referee is a  name, title and contact details of a current or previous supervisor/manager, usually they are contacted verbally and asked a series of questions in regards to your nature; work ethic; communication skills  and job performance, just to list a few areas. The list of referees ( 3 to 4 is the max; 2 min) should be detailed at the bottom of your resume

It’s with complete confidence that I advise that only referees are of importance, that is,  name and contact details of a recent supervisor/manager.  Separate written references are no longer in vogue.  Not only do they date quickly, most references are glowing , because who wants to hand out a negative one, that do not allow for any discussion or questioning.

Future employers should contact your referees and therefore you will need to be 100% sure that the referees you list on your resume meet the following criterion:-

• can be trusted to speak well of you
• are not personal friends or related to you
• know you and most importantly know your work – have actually witnessed you at work and can comment with knowledge about your performance
• have current contact number/s and details
• have been asked to be listed on your resume and are happy to help you
• are informed by you on what jobs you have applied for

If you have any doubts whatsoever on whether they will be good to you, and say great things about you, don’t hesitate to remove them from your resume.

Better to be safe than always wondering why you never got a call back from a potential new employer!

Not sure what to do, contact our resume writer on 0404056278

Ivana Agapiou Ivana Agapiou resume writer and career advisor 0404056278

The post References or referees, who do you choose for your resume? appeared first on Eather Recruitment.

The difference between winning or losing that job..

“OMG! Did I really say that?” How many times have  you heard yourself say this, after a job interview? That play back “cringe” that you experience and that after-shock while you rewind your performance at the interview and worry yourself sick over what you said, how you said it, or didn’t say, or could’ve said .. coulda-woulda-shouda

All I can say is that experience is a damn fine thing, so keep applying for roles and keep attending as many interviews as you can. When you are rewinding and reliving your interview experience, try to remember the great and the good things you did too!  Many interviewees suffer the after-shame, and many get better the next time round! Just in case you don’t already know, here are  13 tips on what you must NEVER say or do! Memorize these mandatory rules …  here are the DON’Ts

1. Bag or bad mouth past or current employers, claiming a negative experience – wrong! Stay positive and sound grateful!
2. Over-talk and bang on and on…just answer the question your were asked succinctly and precisely
3. Avoid eye contact – make sure you connect with the interviewer/s with good eye contact and SMILE
4. Turn up ill prepared and without researching the company before the interview
5. Turn up late or not at all!
6. Mumble – practice speaking clearly
7. Dress inappropriately – dress to impress always
8. Act shy and say “I’m not used to Interviews”. Or  “I am nervous”.
9. Respond with a “NO” ….  and say nothing else… always commence and couch responses positively
10. Behave disinterested and bored
11. Claim you want the job because of the easy hours and its close proximity to your home address!
12. Have NO questions prepared to ask the interviewer at the end of the interview
13. Have a resume filled with fake assertions- present with an authentic resume!

Hope this helps you in your next interview!

Ivana Agapiou career advisor and resume writer

The post JOB INTERVIEW, WHAT NOT TO SAY! appeared first on Eather Recruitment.

Is your resume an individually tailored document that sells your skills in the right light?

The simple answer is actually a question, “Is your resume getting you that interview?” Otherwise,  it’s just heading to the sunset with all the others.

Firstly, if your resume is securing you that interview, then you have a good resume, however, if it does not get you in front of a potential employer, it’s doing you NO favours!

Resumes should read like sales documents, they should “sell” your unique skills, knowledge, experience and qualifications. Most importantly, it should make you a highly marketable commodity!

Many candidates place a lot of effort into resume writing and often don’t know how to edit, delete or add. However, it’s a mandatory requirement.

Following are  some simple rules

1) Always proof read thoroughly, and have someone else read it also.

2) Check for spelling errors, grammatical errors and general professional layout.

3) print a copy and see how it looks… often the print version can appear quite different that the screen copy!

3) only include content that is relevant to the job you are applying for – yes, this means more work, and yes, it means adapting your resume to each role and yes, it’s worth it

Finally,  a resume is very personal and many candidates find it challenging to “blow their own Trumpet” so if you need an objective opinion and  help with resume writing, you need an expert with years of recruitment experience,

Call us on 0265838222  or 0404056278 and inquire about our Talent Review Services, which include professional resume writing

Finally, for more information, you could also visit www.figjamresumes.com.au

Ivana Agapiou – Resume writer
Eather Recruitment

The post Resumes are your best sales and promotional flier! appeared first on Eather Recruitment.

Better Public Speaking and Presentation skills

” Essential skills for career acceleration”

Think of the last really memorable talk or presentation that you attended.

Now, was that easy to do, or did you really have to really think hard to remember one?

Sadly, too many presentations are easy to forget. And that’s a big problem because the only reason the presenter gave the talk was to communicate something to you!

However, there are 4 basic things that you can do to ensure that your verbal messages are understood – and remembered – time and time again.

Although somewhat obvious and deceptively simple, these are:

1. Understand the purpose of the presentation – to persuade, to delight, to inform?
2. Keep the message clear and concise – stick to the rule of “threes”
3. Be prepared – practice, practice, practice
4. Be vivid when delivering the message – use words that create imagery – use body language to best effect

Understand what you want to achieve

Before you start working on your talk or presentation, it’s vital that you really understand what you want to say, who you want to tell and why they might want to hear it. To do this, ask yourself: 6 wise questions: Who? What? How? When? Where? Why?

Who are you speaking to? What are their interests, assumptions and values? What do they share in common with others; how are they unique?

What do you wish to communicate? One way of answering this question is to ask yourself about the ‘success criteria’. How do you know if and when you have successfully communicated what you have in mind?

How can you best convey your message? Language is important here, as are the nonverbal cues discussed earlier. Choose your words and your nonverbal cues with your audience in mind. Plan a beginning, middle and end. If time and place allow, consider and prepare audio-visual aids.

When? Timing is important here. Develop a sense of timing, so that your contributions are seen and heard as relevant to the issue or matter at hand. There is a time to speak and a time to be silent. ‘a Presenter that goes over the scheduled time is not always received well.’

Where? What is the physical context of the communication in mind? You may have time to visit the room, for example, and rearrange the furniture. Check for availability and visibility if you are using audio or visual aids.

Why? In order to convert people from “hearers” into listeners, you need to know why they should listen to you – and tell them if necessary. What disposes them to listen? That implies that you know yourself why you are seeking to communicate – the value or worth or interest of what you are going to say.

Keep it simple… content is NOT King, it’s the how that really matters!

When it comes to wording your message, less is more. You’re giving your audience headlines. They don’t need to and are usually not expecting to become experts on the subject as a result of hearing your talk. I suggest you have a leading beginning that informs your audience what you are going to talk about… and help your audience follow your thought process by providing the main points you will cover.  Lead into your first point and link in to the other two. Provide a summary of what you just said as a conclusion to your presentation. ” Say what you are going to say, say it, and say it again”

If you’re using slides, limit the content of each one to a few bullet points, or one statement or a very simple diagram

Be prepared, that way you appear & feel the calm!

Preparation is the KEY! In fact, it is one of the most important factors in determining your communication successes. When possible, set meeting times and speaking and presentation times well in advance, thus allowing yourself the time you need to prepare your communications, mindful of the entire communication process By paying close attention to each of these stages and preparing accordingly, you ensure your communications will be more effective and better understood. Practice in front of a mirror, the dog, your family and friends…. it WILL help!

Of course, not all communications can be scheduled. In this case, preparation may mean having a good, thorough understanding of the office goings-on, enabling you to communicate with the knowledge you need to be effective, both through verbal and written communications.

Unforgettable delivery means paying attention to the non-verbals!

Your delivery of your speech or presentation will make or break it, no matter how well you’ve prepared and crafted your clear, concise message. Some useful tips for keeping your presentation vivid include:

• Use examples to bring your points to life
• Keep your body language up-beat – don’t stay stuck behind a lecture!
• Don’t talk to fast. Less is more here too. Pauses are effective.
• Use a variety of tones of voice
• Use visual aids.

Most of all try to enjoy the moment! Remember that your audience wants to see you succeed, they want to spend quality time discovering new information or being entertained.

All the very best!

The post Need help with the Perfect presentation? appeared first on Eather Recruitment.

 Let’s get real. If detective agencies and the FBI (along with Hackers) use Face Book to find stuff out about you… why wouldn’t an employer do the same?

YES! Face book is used by prospective employers to help them assess the character or personality of a candidate.  Sorry, it’s a fact that many employers do get on there and search around for your name and make all sorts of judgements on you.

These judgements may often be wrong, but we are all human and judging is what we do! If in your resume, you have written that you are a professional with a strong work ethic,  along with some hobbies and interests..etc.. do these details align with what you have entered on your FB page? or would a casual observer see a significant difference.. Dr Jeckell and/or  Mr Hyde??

Here are just 3 questions for you to consider when you are next visiting your own page. 

1) is your profile pic nice? what would your mother say about it?

2) Check your FB cover pic – is it a mainstream, and a non-offensive type shot – for example, not one of you half naked, with alcohol spilling down your chest?

3) what groups are you associated with? ( make sure that they are not outlawed!)

Your Facebook should align with the image you want to portray… it should speak volumes about your personality and character without highlighting the “seedy and sordid”. Facebook is NOT the platform for nasty complaints or for rubbishing others… it needs to remain in sinq with the branding and image you want others to think of you… especially prospective employers –  ASK yourself…..

• what is it that you want others to think about you?
• what statement best describes you and is this resonated on your page
• can you  develop a statement that speaks volumes about who you really are?
• MOST importantly – this will help you devise your SOCIAL Media strategy – yes you do need one!

Suggested SOLUTIONS?

• Add super-security settings to your page NOW!
• Maintain quality and some professionalism on your posts
• Guard your image as if your life depended upon it!
• remove any potential offensive posts and photos if you can

All the best in your quest to maintain the image you want… best advice.. think before you click!!

Ivana Agapiou

The post Don’t be Naive … Face book is used as a screening tool by employers appeared first on Eather Recruitment.