Before you apply for your dream job, check out these tips that will make your cover letter stand out. Tip #1: Keep it brief. Your letter should not go over one page. Use short paragraphs and bullet points whenever possible. Avoid flowery or excessive words when fewer words will get your point across equally well. Tip #2: Be assertive and proactive. ...

With increasing numbers of job seekers competing for the most desirable technical jobs, your resume needs to be better than the rest to get noticed. Technical Summary Effective technical resumes clearly show the candidate's technical skills -- a hiring manager shouldn't have to go fishing for this information. An excellent way to include technical knowledge is to add a Technical Summary ...

Whether it be your leadership skills, your ability to work with people or your creative talents, you need to use the right language to convey your credentials. Use active words like these to give your resume a powerful punch: Accelerated Accomplished Achieved Adapted Advised Administered Analyzed Approved Arranged Assembled Budgeted Built Calculated Completed Conceived Conducted Coordinated Created Delegated Delivered Demonstrated ...

You've gone back to school and are in the process of making a career change. Your resume should reflect both your previous experience and your new education. How do you sell your experience? Don't leave out important dates. Many non-traditional job-seekers are reluctant to include dates of employment or graduations for fear that hiring managers are less interested in older ...

You've decided you need a second opinion on your resume, but where should you turn? We've gathered the top eight resources for resume critiques, as well as the pros and cons of each, to help you find the best reviewer for your needs. Professional Resume Writers Resume writers can provide excellent advice on how to improve your resume, says Murray Mann, ...

If you were an employer looking at a resume, which of the following entries would impress you more? Wrote news releases. Wrote 25 news releases in a three-week period under daily deadlines. Clearly the second statement carries more weight. Why? Because it uses numbers to quantify the writer's accomplishment, giving it a context that helps the interviewer understand the degree of ...

A good resume is vital. It's your calling card to a prospective employer - one that lays out your qualifications and hopefully gets you a job interview. Remember, most employers will spend less than five minutes reviewing your resume. Follow these guidelines to make sure your resume gets you noticed. Be sure to include these basics: Contact information: Full name, phone ...

Your cover letter is the first thing employers see when they open your materials. Avoid these 10 mistakes, and make your first impression a good and lasting one. Mistake #1: Don't Overuse "I" Your cover letter is not your autobiography. The focus should be on how you meet an employer's needs, not on your life story. Avoid the perception of being ...

Healthcare has undergone significant changes in the past 20 years, and healthcare organizations are increasingly sensitive to cost control and productivity. Funding sources for both public and private healthcare orgzanizations have cut back reimbursement and allowable expenses. Your resume must reflect an understanding of these changes. It must show evidence of skills, experience, a commitment to quality, and an ability to ...

Ask Kim Isaacs QUESTION: I am a chemistry major and need help writing a resume for medical research internships. If anyone could direct me to any helpful Web sites or books, I would greatly appreciate it. WHAT THE EXPERT SAYS: A resume for an internship would have the same strategy as a resume for a regular job, except your desire for ...

Whether you're a Harvard-educated MBA or recently obtained your GED, you can use your resume's education section to outshine your competition. If you are unsure about the best way to present your education, here are some common scenarios and strategies: Where to Place Education? The best placement depends on what you are trying to emphasize. Place experience before education if you ...

There is no right way to organize your resume. Different formats create different effects - and a different picture of you! Determine which format (Chronological, Functional or Combination) will put you in the best light. Chronological Resume In the chronological resume, job history is organized sequentially, with the most recent job listed first. Job titles and employers are emphasized and duties ...

Make sure your resume is top-notch by avoiding the top 10 resume blunders: 1. Too Focused on Job Duties Your resume should not be a boring listing of job duties and responsibilities. Go beyond showing what was required and demonstrate how you made a difference at each company, providing specific examples. When developing your achievements, ask yourself: * How did you ...

When I am responding to a job posting and a contact name is not given, is it OK to address the letter "To Whom It May Concern"? Or is there a better way to handle this? Answer: "To Whom it May Concern" is a bit outdated, as is "Dear Sir/Madam." You might want to go with "Dear Hiring Manager" when you ...

Q: I want to apply for a job online, should I send my resume in an attachment? I want to show off the bold fonts and bullets. What do you think? A: You are right and wrong at the same time. Resumes DO look better when they get sent as attachments, but increasingly employers are asking applicants not to send their ...