What Is A Resume?

This blog is inspired by my experiences of critiquing resumes recently. A resume is not a facts sheet and a resume is not a document that lists every job that you have ever held. Furthermore, your resume is not a job application. Your resume is an important document that specifies the job you desire, your qualifications, and your relevant work experience.

As you create your next resume remember your audience. Your audience will probably consist of business owners, human resources personnel, recruiters, and hiring managers. You must specify in your Objective/Summary the position that you desire and how you will use your experiences to contribute to the growth of the company. It is not the job of the people who make the hiring decisions to determine how you will fit into the organization. Don't include information like, "I am seeking a position that will provide challenge and room for growth". This is an employer's market and you must create your resume from the perspective of what you plan to do for the potential employer.

You should also make sure that your resume is keyword rich. If you need help with this then simply conduct a search of a job description for the position you desire then strategically place words from the job description into your new resume.

I would also caution anyone who is following resume templates as they try to create their resume. Resume templates seem to trap many people into creating lesser than resumes.

As I have told many people recently there is no exact science when it comes to creating resumes. However, there are many basic rules that you must follow. To put it very simple, if it doesn't add value to your resume then don't include it on your resume.

Should You Pay For A Resume Critique?

Many Job Seekers are trying a variety of services to help create what they perceive or what they are being told is a perfect resume. Think twice before you start paying for resume advice.

I create and enhance resume for a living and I would not recommend that you pay for a resume critique. From the research that I have done on resumes I have concluded that resume writing is not an exact science. You may ask 3 different resume writers their opinions on how a resume should be constructed and you could get 3 different answers.

If you are wondering how your resume measures up then try these strategies. If you know any Human Resources professionals outside of your job have them critique your resume. They should be able to provide you with some helpful advice. If you belong to any professional online communities like Linkedin or BrightFuse there may be members within those groups who are willing to critique your resume at no charge. Another resource that you should investigate is your local library. Many libraries have staff, software, and paid speakers that can provide you with free resume advice. Lastly, if you are attending school or are a recent graduate there is an excellent chance that your school provides Career Services professionals that can provide you with free resume advice.

Ultimately, you should exhaust all the free resources before you start paying for resume critiques.

Wardrobe Recommendations and Other Tips for Men Attending A Job Fair

If you haven't attended a Job Fair previously or if you aren't sure what to wear to a Job Fair then this blog is for you. When you think of a Job Fair you should think of it as a series of interviews. Therefore, you want to make a good first impression. The way you present yourself can be just as important as the quality of your resume.

In this blog I will cover everything a man needs to know for preparing for a Job Fair.

Face/Ears - Make sure that you have a conservative and neat haircut. If you wear a beard make sure that it is trimmed and very neat. You may even consider going clean shaved until the Job Fair is over. If you wear an earring leave home without it on the day of the Job Fair. An earring could send out the wrong message about you.

Breath - If you smoke or if you think you might have bad breath I suggest that you invest in some breath mints. If you are going to be doing a lot talking this is a good precaution.

Cologne - I do not recommend you wearing cologne to a Job Fair because I wouldn't recommend it in a traditional interview. You don't want to trigger the allergies of an interviewer or rekindle bad memories that a scent could spark.

Attire - If you have a suit you should wear it. Select a white, light blue, or another conservative colored shirt to go with your suit. You then should select a tie that will bring everything together. If you are unsure go to a suit store and tell them you need a shirt and suit for an interview and they should be able to give you some ideas. You can also ask friends and family. Furthermore, you could do an online search of Dress for Success. My recommendations for suit colors would be navy blue, charcoal gray, and black. If you don't have a suit I recommend that you wear a dress shirt that is a nice cotton blend, a nice tie, and a nice pair of slacks.

Hands - Make sure your hands are well manicured. You don't want to have dirty fingernails if you are going to be shaking hands. If you have dry skin make sure you lotion your hands so they aren't ashy.

Shoes- You can go with a nice pair of loafers or a pair of tie up shoes. When it comes to shoe colors I would go with black, brown, or navy blue. Make sure that your shoes are polished. Gym shoes and house shoes are a no-no.

Tattoos - If you have a tattoo make sure that it is covered up.

Portfolio Case - I would invest in a nice portfolio case where you keep copies of your resume, references, and cover letters.


This information should ensure that you are ready for a Job Fair.

Managing Workplace Politics

You may not be a former Class President or a fan of politics in general. However, it is important that you play your cards correctly in the workplace. The following is a list of things to keep in mind:

1. Learn the chain of command and follow it. Think twice before you consider going over your manager's head for something that you want. Even if your manager's manager seems friendly in addressing your needs.

2. Treat everyone they way you would want to be treated. Don't make enemies if you can help it. Someone that is a co-worker today could be your Manager tomorrow. It would be better if that person liked you rather than despise you. If you have a disagreement with a co-worker try to move beyond it, so that it does not turn into something that could be a stumbling block for you.

3. Be conservative at social gatherings. If you are at an office party or an after work gathering it is better to be conservative than to act like you are partying away from work. Senior level managers keep a mental note of who the party animals are within their organization. A bad reputation gained in social gatherings could effect you come promotion time. I would also recommend that you attend the social gatherings, so you aren't accused of thinking that you are better than anyone else.

4. Don't gossip or spread rumors! If someone confides in you then make sure that you don't break that bond by sharing confidential information with co-workers. Uncertainty is present in many workplace situations today so you want to be careful that you don't spread rumors. Rumors can bring down workplace morale and could get you in trouble if you are named as the starter of such stories.

How to Prepare for Re-Entry to the Workforce

I am kicking off February with tips for people preparing to re-enter the workforce.

1. Network - Let everyone you know that you are looking for work. Try to re-establish contacts from previous employers as they may have leads from the "Unpublished Job Market". Be sure to make use of websites like Linkedin because they provide an excellent method of reconnecting with past superiors.

2. Market Yourself - Remember that no company would keep quite about the availability of a new product. Think of yourself and your skills as a hot product and the let the world know when you will be available. You can utilize social media such as Facebook, Twitter, or even Linkedin for this venture.

3. Improve Your Computer Skills - If you know that your computer skills are subpar then take courses to improve your proficiency. No one wants to hire someone that is uncomfortable with a computer. Your local library may be a resource center that can help in this area.

4. Identify Your Transferable Skills - Your transferable skills are skills you have acquired during the course of your professional life. Such examples of transferable skills would include: meeting deadlines, the ability to multitask, writing skills, and research skills.

5. Volunteer - If you can volunteer in your industry then do it. Volunteering can be an excellent method of gaining valuable current experience while you are preparing to re-enter the workforce. Remember when you are volunteering you could be auditioning for your next job. You could also gain an additional reference in the process.

Try these tips as you prepare to re-enter the workforce. If any of my ideas works for you e-mail me @ pbanks@resumesolutionsllc.com and let me know.