Treewolfwest Blog

Writing a resume can be a daunting task. It’s such a vital part of your toolkit in moving you up to the next level in your career. Here are five essential resume writing tips.

Resume Tip 1

Your resume and cover letter are the first items that will reach an employer’s desk. Therefore, you want them to best reflect you as an applicant and you want them to best reflect you as an applicant. It’s not just the words on the page, its the presentation of those words too. Always print your resume on good quality paper with an easy to read font of at least size 10 and preferably size 12. Always use blank ink, even for headings. Spelling or grammatical errors show a future employer that you are willing to send in sloppy work so keep it neat.

Resume Tip 2

Include all your accomplishments no matter how small. Include the details of the relevant jobs you have done in the past. You should present your work experience in a chronologically descending order i.e. the last company first. This should include the name of the company, your designation and tenure followed by your job responsibilities and achievements.

Resume Tip 3

Employers want to know what you can do for them in language that they will understand and appreciate. This is what the concept of transferability of skills is all about. Employers often receive more than 100 resumes each day; they skim each of these in 7 to 15 seconds. If they see unrelated job titles or skills the likelihood is very high that they will make an immediate assumption that you are not qualified for the job you want.

Resume Tip 4

Remember to see your resume as a marketing tool. Your resume is your personal testament that you are the right person for the job. Remember that your resume is your way of selling yourself to your potential employer. Thus, your resume should have enough substance about your educational attainment, your work skills, any work experience, and what you hope to achieve in this job you are applying for to impress your employer that you are THE candidate for the job.

Resume Tip 5

Accomplishments are probably the most important things you can list on a resume. This is true regardless of how old you are or how much experience you have. Accomplishments are a critical aspect of your resume. Your accomplishments distinguish you from your competitors in the job-search process.

When you step into your office, you are supposed to leave everything else behind and put on a professional face. Here are 7 things that you need to avoid at the work place. These will not only help you make a good impression, but will also help you advance your career.

1. Extended Breaks - One of the most annoying things for other employees or for managers and supervisors is employees taking extended breaks. So what if you have a smoking habit and you need to take a break to indulge in it? What about those who do not smoke? They are going to have a problem if you take long breaks to smoke.

Another irritation and one to be avoided is taking extended lunch breaks. More often than not, people use their lunch hour to do personal work; but if you cannot finish a task within this hour, do it on your own time. Never extend your breaks. It does not make the right impression.

2. Tardiness - Being late to work on a given day may be excused. But what is not tolerated is coming in late everyday and leaving early. This is unfair to those people who come on time and leave on time. Do not misuse work hours, unless you have a genuine reason and one that can be excused.

3. Loud Behavior - There are people around you who are trying to work. They do not need disturbances like loud talking or completely irrelevant discussions. Respect other people and their work. You are not only disturbing them by talking loudly, but you are not showing them respect.

4. Being Untidy - You need to keep your workstation clean and also the other areas such as the cafeteria and conference rooms. You wouldn’t like it if someone left used tissue or scraps of food on the table in the cafeteria you usually sit at, would you? Extend the same courtesy to other people and clean up after yourself.

5. Leave Personal Issues Behind - Everyone has family and commitments, but when you come to work, you need to leave those behind. There are going to be times when an emergency arises, but those can be dealt with. If you have children or friends who need to contact you at work, try to keep this to a minimum.

Your coworkers are not going to appreciate the fact that you keep taking personal calls at work - and it is going to look like you are not paying enough attention to your job.

6. Remember That Your Words Have Consequences - You have definitely heard the saying “think before you speak”. You will have to bear the consequences of the things you say. So think before you speak at all times.

7. Do Not Be Emotional - Do not express anger too vividly. This is true for younger employees who may have an ego issue. Do not let your emotions control your career moves.

Paying attention to these points will go a long way in shaping your career, and often make the difference between professional success and failure.

Yes, you have been working for a while at your current job. Yes, you have been working hard. Yes, you have made some definite positive changes for the company. Now it is time for you to make some more money. But the question is, why won’t the boss give it to me? The answer is simple, they are already getting great work out of you, why should they pay you more? Also, if they pay you more, then that means they will make less in profit. I know when you read this that you are thinking your employer either doesn’t think this way, or if they do that it is very evil, but at the end of the day, it’s just business.

All businesses are in it for the money. They all want to sell as much of their product or service as possible, while spending as little as possible in materials, labor, intellectual property, etc. So, how to ask for a raise? Well let me give you a few pointers to motivate your employer to upping your dollars:

1. Understand that the company is in business to make money, not to pay you.
This is critical to having the right approach when you walk into the boss’ office.

2. Schedule a time with your boss to discuss your compensation.
I know this seems like a ‘duh’ thing, but really, how long have you wanted a raise, but not done anything to push the matter? You can’t receive anything, if you don’t ask for it. Being proactive will get you a lot further, a lot faster.

3. Make sure to stay very professional, and keep a low tone of voice when speaking to your boss.
Facts are a lot more important than opinions. If you can show your boss evidence of being underpaid, and not be offensive when presenting your case, you are much more likely to obtain the raise you are wanting.

4. Instead of protesting how hard you’ve worked, how you are always on time, and very reliable while at work, focus on the benefits the company receives by employing you.
Explain to the boss how you have helped to increase sales, or how you have worked to lower the company’s costs in particular areas. If you are in customer service, explain how you have worked to appease your customers, and note any repeat business the company has received from those customers. If you are in administration or a technical area, explain how much time you were able to save other employees by the systems you have put into place. If you have saved those employees a lot of time, they are able to do more, and the company will not have to hire additional people, i.e. you are saving the company money.

5. Do some market research on average salaries for comparable jobs in your area.
Monster’s Salary Wizard is a good place to start. If you find that you are being paid considerably lower than your peers, this is good ammunition to bring to your boss’ attention.

6. Finally, the best way to get a raise from your current employer is to get another job.
In my own experience this is the best way to apply enough pressure to get the raise you deserve. If you go out there and find another job that pays more, then go to your boss and tell them you have another offer on the table that you are considering, they will be much more likely to negotiate with you. Fear of loss is one of the best sales tactics. And make no mistake, when you ask for a raise, you are a salesman, you are selling yourself to your boss. The great thing is, if your current boss says no to the raise, then you can take the other job.

Don’t be deceived by tenure, or other baloney things that employers may put out there. You don’t have to wait for an annual review to get a raise. But make sure that if you are asking for a raise, that you have some very solid evidence of why you deserve a raise. Asking for a raise is a delicate issue, however, with a calm and knowledgeable approach backed with industry and local facts, you will put yourself in the best position for getting that raise.