RESUME BUILDING

SUBMITTING RESUMES ONLINE

Just as the Internet has changed the way you look for a job, it’s also changed the way you can submit a resume. More and more job applicants are posting their resumes online to resume banks and personal web pages and submitting them through email. And while the Internet can be a powerful tool for job seekers, it also comes with some new considerations.

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Emailing a Resume

When emailing a résumé, you have two options: Insert the résumé into the body of the email, or send it as an attachment. Review the job listing carefully to see if there is a preferred method. Document formatting is also crucial. Plain text (.txt) files are always a safe bet, but Microsoft Word documents (.doc) and the Adobe Acrobat Portable Document Format (.pdf) are often accepted and allow you greater control over layout and design. Again, double-check to see if the organization you’re applying to has a preference.

No matter how you choose to email your resume, you’ll want to include a brief online cover letter in the body of the email. Keep it short, but include the same basic information you would in a traditional cover letter.

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Posting a Resume

When submitting your resume to an online resume bank, formatting is once again your first concern. While some sites accept Microsoft Word documents, many will not recognize specialized text, bullets, tabs, boldface text or formatted text. Any resume with that kind of formatting runs the risk of showing up on an interviewer’s computer screen as gibberish; this is not the way you want to be perceived. Avoid formatting issues by creating a plain text version. If you want to emphasize something, instead of using a bold font, use capital letters. And when you’re finished, email it to yourself or a friend. This will give you an opportunity to make sure it looks okay on the receiving end.

Another consideration when submitting your resume online is using job-specific keywords. Employers often search resume banks using software that looks for special words or requirements specific to a job description. You can identify such keywords by visiting company websites, reviewing job postings, reading industry trade magazines or checking out keyword resource books and websites. Including more keywords in the objective, experience, skills and awards sections of your online resume will increase your chances of being flagged as a potential match. You should also use such keywords in the title and brief description of yourself which most job sites request.

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Keyword Examples

Keywords tend to be nouns that are industry-specific qualifications, skills or terms. Some keyword examples include degrees or certifications, job titles, computer lingo, industry jargon, product names, company names and professional organizations. Here are some specific examples of popular keywords employers look for in résumés. Using such keywords and additional keywords specific to your industry where they apply will help your résumé stand out.

• Strategic planning

• Performance and productivity improvement

• Organizational design

• Infrastructure development

• New media

• Microsoft Word

• Change management

• Team-building

• Leadership

• Competitive market

• Instructional materials

• Investor and board relations

• Oral and written communications

• Problem-solving and decision-making

• MBA

• Project management

• Customer retention

• Business development

• Photoshop

• Long-range planning

• Cost reduction

And, lastly, if you’re posting your résumé to a personal web page or résumé bank, be sure to conceal your contact information from casual viewers. Posting personal contact information on the web could attract unwanted attention. Avoid this by activating the privacy settings offered on most résumé banks or by only providing an email address on your web page and suggesting employers contact you for additional information.

Video Resumes

Video resumes are gaining popularity with many young job seekers. While few, if any, companies request them, they can be a great way to showcase your skills and experience while giving a real sense of your personality. Video resumes are not for everyone, however. If you’re applying for a job in a very traditional or conservative field, you might want to think twice about using a video resume. In any case, keep your video short and professional and focus on your accomplishments. This is still a resume, not a music video!

Some sites that offer video résumés:

• www.thevault.com

• www.hirevue.com

• www.resumevideo.com

Submitting Resumes by Mail or in Person

If you want to have printed copies on hand for an interview, or if an organization requires you to submit your résumé by mail, start with a well-formatted document and make sure it has been proofread. Use high-quality paper rather than regular copy paper; it will make a much better impression. Make sure your printer has fresh ink and then print a test run to check for any errors or inconsistencies. You should always bring extra copies with you to an interview. And – for interviews – make sure it’s the same version that you submitted previously. Also, if you’re mailing your résumé, use an envelope that matches your paper in size and quality and print the address on it.

Finding Personal References

While you don’t submit references with your cover letter and résumé, often job applicants are asked to provide them later if they are being seriously considered. It’s important for you to establish your reference list in advance and have a list ready when the request comes in.

Tips:

• Never use someone as a reference unless you have his or her permission.

• Good reference choices are former bosses, co-workers, customers, professors and colleagues.

• Do not use your parents, guardian or friends as references, as they will appear biased. Also leave off anyone you don’t get along with or jobs you’ve been fired from.

• Keep your references up-to-date on where you stand in your job search. You don’t want them to be surprised when your interviewer calls.

Examples: 

Karen Smith Human Resources ABC Company Address City, State, ZIP Phone Email

George Brown Manager XYZ Company Address City, State, ZIP Phone Email

source

(http://www.myfuture.com/careers/articles-advice/creating-your-resume)