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How to boost your resume response rate
Abridged: Proven Resumes
AUSTIN, TX -- Many job seekers continue to use ineffective resumes for long periods of time, even though that aren't receiving interviews. To improve resume effectiveness, it makes sense to keep track of how many resumes you send out along with how many requests for interviews they generate. Job seekers can do this manually using an excel spreadsheet to track progress, or they can invest in an online service that helps better manage all job search efforts.
If you aren't receiving enough interviews, then your resume probably needs to be reviewed and rewritten. On average, you should receive four to six calls for interviews from every twenty to thirty resumes you send out. Your optimum goal is a thirty-fifty percent response rate. Some people will say that these figures are out of line, however remember that job searching is a numbers game. Make sure you are in the playing field! Don't get tapped out.
By learning how to control your image and how many employers respond to job titles, main headings, and content within your resume - you can dramatically improve your job response rate and land more interviews. It's not a mysterious or difficult process, but it does take time and a little focus to take advantage of all the proven job search strategies and resume writing secrets out there. Once you understand these secrets you'll be one step ahead of the competition.
Upgrade your current job search approach
Staff Writer, The Career News
VIRGINIA BEACH, VA -- There's nothing easy about job searching. What's frustrating for many job seekers is a disappointing response rate. However, it's important to note that a job search is a numbers game. For example: If you get your resume in front of 1000 employers, you should get 10-50 quality responses leading up to 5 interviews. If you don't pay attention to 'how' you are sending your resumes, your actions might only serve to put your resume in a pile with hundreds of others.
Consider a more focused approach to your job search. A search that increases the number and quality of responses by using a targeted list of industries and decision makers who are looking for people with your skills. This new type of search also employs an affordable delivery system that ensures your resume will be seen by the right person.
We recommend using a service called JobsByFax. This service is simple to use and an affordable way to ensure a more focused and satisfying job search. You'll have instant access to information on thousands of companies and their decision makers. JobsByFax combines quality and quantity by faxing your resume to potential hiring managers. In fact, it's been statistically proven that sending 1000 resumes using JobsByFax can yield from 10 to 50 quality responses. Take control of your job search by going to JobsByFax.
Interviewing tips for introverts and shy job seekers
Abridged: Newsday
DENVER, CO -- Some common behaviors of shy and introverted job seekers include: Preferring to think first and talk later; Preferring writing over talking; Preferring meaty conversations over chit chat; Being calm and reserved. So, how do these traits translate to fast-paced networking events or job interviews? How does an introverted job candidate get a word in edgewise? Here are some tips:
Wait for the person to breathe. Wedge your way in with bridge comments like, "That's really interesting. I have faced a similar situation in my former company and gotten results." Try smiling at the start - it makes breaking in easier. Remember that most extroverts don't consider it rude to interrupt. It's part of their normal speech pattern.
How about that issue of preferring to reflect before responding to an out-of-the blue question? Buy a little time to think by rephrasing the question. For example, "That's a really good question. I'd like to take a few seconds to think about it if it's alright with you." Get over the self-defeating committee in your head. Remind yourself that you have value to offer. Finally, what if you had something significant to say, but the conversation has since moved on to other things? Not a problem. Extroverts are more accustomed to bouncing between thoughts, so you're safe here. Try a lead in like, "I just thought of something I'd like to add."
Organize yourself for a job interview
Abridged: Examiner
LOS ANGELES, CA -- As the unemployment rate has risen significantly this year many of us are put in positions we never thought we'd be. After endless hours job searching, we finally land an interview. Now what? Organizing yourself can make or break the interview. Arriving prepared and organized will show the interviewer that you are ready and capable of doing this job. Put your best foot forward with these quick tips:
Prepare for your interview the day before. Know where the interview is located. If possible, get a name and phone number of who is interviewing you. Review the job description. Know what job you are interviewing for. Conduct research on the company. Visit their website. Learn about the industry. Know the company's main competitors. Know the company's customers. Use the information you've gathered from the job description, company and industry research to create a list of questions.
Plan what to wear. The day before the interview set out your entire outfit. Assemble the items you will take with you to the interview - professional pen, paper, multiple copies of your resume and reference list, and photo ID. Plan to arrive 15-20 minutes early. This will allow you a few minutes to freshen up. After an interview the hiring manager only knows what you've shown them. So make sure you stand out from the other interviewees by being organized and prepared! This will ensure you're best suited to land the job.
Interview tips that get you hired faster!
Staff Writer, The Career News
LOS ANGELES, CA -- Did you know that when the job market was booming it took an average of 3 interviews to get 1 job offer? Now it takes 17! When you finally land the job interview of your dreams will you have what it takes to land the job offer? You must stand out during the job interview or you might as well be playing the lottery.
Most job seekers spend hours creating their resumes and cover letters, searching through job postings, reviewing classified ads and networking--all in order to land the job interview. Yet 99% of them don't have a clue what to do when they get one.
There's a little known "secret career document" you can quickly and easily customize for your next important job interview that literally forces the interviewer to picture you filling the position. This powerful technique was created by one of California's top marketing professionals. His method guarantees you'll automatically stand out from the crowd and shoot straight to the top of the "must hire" list for any position you seek. To ace your next interview and get hired faster visit: The Job Interview Secret.
How to stand out among other job seekers
Abridged: Scripps Howard News
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- According to Challenger, Gray & Christmas, Inc., the original outplacement company, "The current job market requires a much more aggressive approach, as well as some creativity. This means that you'll have to find new ways to get in front of hiring authorities. Look where other people are not and be willing to take jobs that most people would avoid. Here's what advice Challenger offers for all job seekers:
Advertise your job search. Use the network you have cultivated, including former bosses, internship supervisors, teachers and classmates. If there's a company for which you want to work, but you cannot get an appointment, consider showing up at the office and wait until he or she gives you 10 minutes. Show up early and often. The manager you need to talk with will most likely have free time before or after normal work hours.
Use your research skills on the web. You can find virtually anyone or any company on one of the hundreds of career sites and professional networking sites. Create your own job fair. Plan a social event and invite friends and family who are working. Create business cards with contact info. Social events can foster business references.
Create professional business cards for networking-free
Staff Writer, The Career News
LOS ANGELES, CA -- Are business cards really necessary in this information age? You better believe they are! There is simply no substitute for getting out there and networking during your job search. Handing out your business card is a great way to keep them remembering you.
The Career News highly recommends creating your own business cards for networking - for free. VistaPrint has many templates from which you can choose - from wild and colorful to simple and sophisticated. Pick the template you prefer, type in your information, preview your new card and order it. It's so simple to use.
Make sure your business cards include all of your current contact information, phone numbers and email. Most importantly, make sure you carry them with you at ALL times! You never know who you might meet and where you might meet them. Always collect the business cards of the people you meet and get their contact information too. Make a note on the back of the business cards you collect to remind you about your conversation with the person, who they are, what they can do for you or what you can do for them. To get your free business cards today, follow this link.
Employers plan to reverse salary and hiring freezes
Abridged: CNNMoney
NEW YORK, NY -- The job market, still the worst in decades, may become a tad less chilly in the months ahead as a majority of employers now think the economy is inching towards a recovery, according to a survey released recently. The survey, by consulting firm Watson Wyatt, found that 62% of employers are planning to reverse hiring freezes over the next 12 months. It also showed that 69% of companies in the survey plan to eliminate salary freezes.
The results reflect a growing sense of optimism about the U.S. economy, which has shown some signs of stabilization. Despite the improved outlook, however, the survey also revealed that employers may keep some cost-cutting measures in place. While more employers now feel the worst of the current downturn may be behind them, most are not expecting to immediately go back to 'business as usual.
Even as employers scale back hiring freezes, more than half of the companies in the survey indicated that they expect staff sizes to be below "pre-economic crisis levels" over the next few years. In addition to having fewer workers on staff, nearly 80% of bosses expect their employees to work past their retirement age, according to the survey.
Reduce hours of job searching and resume submitting
Staff Writer, The Career News
LOS ANGELES, CA -- With a new service called MyJobHunter, you can search all top career sites at once & apply to all matching jobs with one click. Just enter your search criteria, review the matching jobs and select the ones you want. Then, click a single button and you'll instantly apply to all selected jobs with your resume and cover letter (without having to log into each job site separately).
Click another button and you can automate the whole process! MyJobHunter can remember what you searched for, search for it again each day, and AUTOMATICALLY APPLY FOR YOU to new jobs matching your criteria. Review jobs in advance or put searching & applying on auto-pilot. The choice is yours.
You'll also get an application history report that makes follow-up a breeze! It shows the jobs you were applied to, full job descriptions, employer contact info, and application dates. You can even add personal notes to each job! This service is proven to reduce hours of job searching and resume submitting to just minutes. Simply upload your resume, enter your job search criteria and let MyJobHunter take it from there. For more information visit MyJobHunter. |
