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Create a Resume That Works!

Your resume is your ticket to a job interview, so the stakes are high. Learn how to package your experience for maximum impact. Should your experience be presented chronologically or functionally? Should you include an objective? Do people actually read your cover letter? Our templates will guide you in putting together a format that works. If you're not the "do it yourself" type, we'll be happy to connect you to some of the best writers in the business.

On the flip side, as a hiring manager, what should you look for? With a stack of qualified candidates sitting on your desk, how do you decide who to interview? We'll share what the pros see. Our Top 10 list is a must read...you might even teach your HR department a thing or two!

Let's take a closer look...

If you're searching for your next career opportunity, you need to recognize a harsh reality of the job search process - resumes are typically used to screen people out, not in. Candidates don't like to hear this, but it's true.

In my business, I receive hundreds of unsolicited resumes each week - and hundreds more that are possibilities for the assignments I'm currently working. How do I find the stars amid the clutter?

Your Customized Calling Card

Your resume will be your calling card with prospective employers. Sometimes great experience is not enough. How many times have you applied for a position that you know you were perfectly qualified for but the interview call never came? Most companies don't even acknowledge receipt of your correspondence these days!

The way you package your experience in response to a specific opportunity can be a critical factor in determining whether you're called for an interview.

How to Write a Resume will give you a step by step guide to developing a document that works. We'll review the critical components needed to sell your experience and we'll give you the inside story on what hiring managers and HR professionals look for.

Do you need an objective? What about a Summary Section? How should you highlight your accomplishments? What format should you use?

We'll take the mystery out of this step in the job search process.

Functional Format...Chronological Format...Does It Matter?

If you are a seasoned professional with considerable experience, you've probably been told by someone along the way to switch from a chronological to a functional format. With a functional format, it's harder to figure out exactly how "seasoned" you are. A functional format can also work to your advantage if you are trying to change your career or industry focus - or if you have a choppy employment history.

I can tell you from a recruiting standpoint, there's nothing more annoying than taking a look at a functional rendition of a candidate's experience. Yes, it will showcase your skills but you'll make me work to find out exactly how much experience you've got - at what level - and for what companies.

If I need to work too hard to see the key things I'm interested in, can you guess what happens? You'll land in the "no" pile without a second thought. Fair? Probably not. But true? Absolutely!

Top-sales-jobs.com wants to make it easy for you to succeed in your job search. We have assembled a comprehensive Resume Tool Kit that will help you build your personal resume. Inside you'll find some sample formats you can use, along with killer phrases and action verbs to give your experience some punch. We've also included resume do's and don'ts as well as suggested formats you can adapt for your own use. And, since a sales resume needs some special attention, you'll find some special instructions for sales professionals in this information packed resource!

Cover Letters

How much time do you spend agonizing over the content of the cover letter you send when applying for a position? Are you using the "cookie cutter" approach or developing unique content geared to the opportunity you're applying for?

I know what the certified resume experts will tell you...a cover letter is critical to your success in the job search process. A well crafted cover letter will make you stand out from the crowd.

In theory, I can agree with the experts, but with first hand knowledge of how busy recruiters really screen candidates, this text book approach is not fool proof!

As a recruiter, I rarely look at cover letters. I'm too busy to handle all that reading! If you are going to take the time to craft and send a cover letter, make sure it works to your advantage - and not against you!

Resume Cover Letters will give you some helpful hints to get noticed!

Looking for Sales Talent?

Suppose you're on the other side of the desk? The stack of resumes you need to review has grown significantly over the past week...more are coming every day and you still don't have time to go through them. How can you make this task more manageable?

As a recruiter, I'm faced with this dilemma every day.

When I'm reviewing candidates, it takes only 15-20 seconds to determine which pile their experience belongs in - Yes, No or Maybe.

When I'm working on an assignment, I'm focused on several screening variables:

• Is the candidate from one of the target companies I want to pull from?
• Is the candidate working for a competitor of my client?
• Is the candidate located in the geography I need to pull from - or is relocation an option?
• How much experience do I need?
• What kind of academic background am I looking for?
• Does the candidate's job title seem comparable to what I'm searching for?

All of these things enter into the decision process that determines whether you should take a closer look at someone's background. And, it only takes a quick scan of the resume to pick up these basic details.

You can drill down on accomplishments later. Right now, we just want to do a rough cut to separate out the potentially qualified from the unqualified.

How Do I Zero In On The Best Candidates?

Find out with my Top Ten Resume Flags - I'll show you how I identify the best candidates for my current assignments!

You can use the same review process to narrow the field when you are faced with a daunting pile of resumes on your desk.

Still overwhelmed by the work effort? Contact top-sales-jobs.com for help with all of your sales recruiting needs!

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