5 things you must do to find a job – part 2

The following is the second part of a FIVE PART SERIES consisting of five tips to help you get back into the workforce.

2. Spruce up your resume.

When was the last time you updated your resume? Your resume is usually the first thing an employer sees. And first impressions count, because if they don’t like what they see, you will not get the chance to be seen (at that all important interview).

Contrary to the way things used to be done, many human resource professionals and hiring managers admit that they rarely spend the time to read a cover letter. With the influx of online applications and submittals through emails and faxes, hiring authorities don’t have much time to sort through resumes, much less read your cover letter. So, as to the cover letter, make it short, brief and to the point. Don’t make it more than three paragraphs of one to three sentences each.

As for the resume, chronological resumes will work fine if all or most of your jobs have been in a certain profession and you are seeking similar or the same types of positions. But if you haven’t stayed at any one job for longer than two years, or you’ve done a variety of different things, or you just want to try your hand at a different career, you might want to try a resume that first highlights your skills and qualifications instead of the traditional reverse chronological resume.

Taylor skills and highlight qualifications for each specific potential employer. Add keywords (but not the exact phrases) pulled from specific job descriptions to ensure that your resume is selected, especially if it has to go through an automated keyword search before it hits a live person. You can’t create a one-size-fits-all resume for every job application.

Your resume is a reflection of you. You want to show that you are capable and have the necessary skills to perform a certain job at a certain company. And of course, make sure that your resume is neat, clean, uncluttered, a good presentation of your skills, qualifications and experience. And always, always double-check for typos.