TURN JOB SEARCH BLUES TO JOBSEARCH OPPORTUNITIES

TURN JOB SEARCH BLUES TO JOBSEARCH OPPORTUNITIES

Year-end and Christmas holidays are just round the corner. Normally, this period is filled with joy, parties, feasting and gift-giving. And if you are feeling miserable about your current job, being under-employed or worst still, unemployed, these festivities may mean little or nothing to you. You may also have been bypassed for a promotion due to you or did not get that bonus that you were looking

forward to.

When you are in the jobsearch queue, it can be quite depressing and gloomy at this time of the year.Don’t feel discouraged! It’s not the end of the world yet. The sun still rises, rain still pours from the sky in the late afternoon and your family, workmates and friends are still around, laughing with and smiling at you. Don’t hoist that white flag just yet. Turn your jobsearch blues to opportunities! Here’s how to do just that.
1.       Companies and Government Organisations Are Still Hiring

Many believe that orgnisations/employers stop hiring or slow down the pace of hiring during the year-end festival period. This is a myth. The close of the year can actually bring increased urgency to hiring. Many employers do want to fill their vacancies and get their staff ready before the year ends.

2.       Great Opportunities for Networking

Those endless Christmas parties, year-end company functions, potlucks and get-togethers are great and wonderful opportunities to network. Seek out events and meetings organised by your professional/trade associations, neighbourhood clubs as well as gatherings with family, friends, workmates and even school/university alumni. Feel free to pass your name cards around and don’t be shy about your career move/plan. However, please pay attention to your social behaviour and etiquette. People [and these can be your future “bosses”] are watching.

3.       Jobsearch is a Learning Journey and Opportunity

It is very difficult to see and understand that unemployment, layoffs and even firings can be a good thing. It can be a blessing, too. “How can it be?” you may ask. There can be no growth without change, including painful change. Always look forward. The grass is greener over the other side. Getting fired can ignite the fire within a person to pursue one’s passions and chase that dream.

Job hunting can be a time where you can take stock of yourself and focus on your real worth – make an inventory of your best qualities. You may realise that you need to upgrade your job skills, polish up your resume, and have a personal image make-over.

4.       You Are Not Alone in Your Jobsearch Journey

Job search or job hunting has become part and parcel of one’s work life. On an average, a person changes jobs five times during one’s work life.

Many resources are easily and readily available to job seekers, both online and in person such as the Jobs Bank, employers’ and recruiters’ websites, job boards, professional career advisors and resume writing specialists, and employment strategy consultants. Colleagues both current and former, family and friends, school/university chums and even your Member of Parliament [MP] will lend a helping hand when approached.

5.       Be Proactive in your Community and on Social Media  

Now is the perfect time to offer help as well as ask for it. Volunteer yourself at community events and professional/trade associations and such proactive volunteerism can earn you good testimonials and new achievements on your resume. Be active and contribute professionally on social media especially Linkedin and Facebook. Research studies have shown that such activities can reduce stress, improve your health and increase your self-esteem.

Sound like it is a win-win for everyone.

For more information, visit www.successfulresumessingapore.com

UNEMPLOYMENT RATES HIGHEST AMONG YOUNGER WORKERS

The Ministry of Manpower (MOM), Singapore released these statistics last week:
1, for residents in late 20s: 5.8%
2. for residents under 24: 8.8%
These unemployment rates are by far the highest amongst the younger workers since 2009. However, employment experts assure us that this is not a worrying trend as there are more than 58 000 jobs up for grabs in the Jobs Bank.
But why aren't the young unemployeds biting? Possible reasons include:
1. more selective, choosy
2. not willing to compromise on personal interests
3. lack of relevant skills or training
4. refusal of work syndrome
5. work aversion syndrome

Talk to us today if you need assistance: www.successfulresumessingapore.com

RESUME: SHARPEN IT TO ATTRACT, POWER IT TO SURPRISE, POWER IT TO REWARD

ENSURE that you have these in your RESUME to prove that you are NOT HOPELESS:

1. Competency skillsets expected by targeted/chosen employers
2. Skills and knowledge meet future needs of the job market
3. Diversified inter-disciplinary work experience
4. Your commendable achievements
5. Your contact details

Learn more ... www.successfulresumessingapore.com

RESUME FOR CAREER CHANGE: OWNING AND MANAGING YOUR OWN BUSINESS

Resume for Career Change: Owning and Managing Your Own Business

 

Have you ever wondered why some 16 200 new businesses were founded in Singapore during the first quarter of 2014? Of these, 35.2% were sole proprietorships and 48.4% were private limited companies. On average more than 56 000 new businesses are registered each year in Singapore.

More and more working professionals are facing and experiencing greater challenges and career volatility in their work places. Job security seems elusive and, to put it bluntly, doesn't exist anymore. Hence, more and more salaried professionals with entrepreneurial acumen are switching and turning to owning and managing their own businesses instead of working for their ‘bosses’. Is this a better alternative? Bear in mind, it’s your future and your financial security that you have to be mindful of. Your decision has tremendous ramifications and impact on your life.

Years ago, when I wanted to leave a cushy, corporate career with a publishing conglomerate and was scouting for a similar role elsewhere, my closest confidant and printing shop owner pulled me aside and told me straight in the face, “Larry, I know you earn a good salary but it doesn’t matter because you’ll never build real wealth from it.” That sent me thinking real hard, consulted my family and realised that the answer to creating and building real wealth is “OWNING AND MANAGING MY OWN BUSINESS”. I did just that and never turned back.

There is no bed of roses for anyone who wants to take this route. The roots of the business tree are long and bitter but the fruit is absolutely sweet. There are opportunities and opportunities out there waiting for you. I am not talking about the Bill Gates, Steve Jobs or the next-generation-tech start-ups. They are not your average entrepreneur. Instead, consider resume writing, food and catering, hair-dressing, fashion design, private education, personal/human services, electrical and plumbing services and the list goes on.

Most, if not all, small business owners make their money by dramatically increasing their net worth on the path to the one-million-dollar mark. Once you hit this magic figure, you will find investors knocking on your door wanting to buy over your business. This is where the real wealth is.

Most recent sales of businesses in Singapore include: automobile dealership: S$300 million, tuition chain: S$300 million, coffee shop in Hougang: S$23.8 million, Chinese restaurant: S$15 million, roast meat joint: S$4 million

Owners of these businesses are now millionaires – enjoying real wealth! They were mere salaried professionals before. Can you see the difference now?

Article by Lim Larry, M Phil (Management), Chief Executive, Co-Founder and Consulting Principal, Successful Resumes Singapore

Learn more … www.successfulresumessingapore.com

YOUR RESUME: IS IT EFFECTIVE?

A simple truth that every job seeker has to know is: Is my resume effective? Answer this simple question honestly. Avoid self-pity and STOP blaming others for your predicament - not a single interview invite despite sending out hundred of resumes.

A great, effective resume is a TOOL with a specific purpose: to win that ALL-IMPORTANT  interview. A successful resume is also a MARKETING TOOL that sells that most important asset you have to offer - YOU, YOURSELF! A resume, in short, is simply an advertisement, a marketing brochure, nothing more, nothing less.

An effective resume is one that makes you STAND OUT from the crowd and on your OWN RESUME. It has to be different and be differentiated. If your resume is ordinary like every one else's, yours will remain ordinary.

Learn more ... www.successfulresumessingapore

ENDORSEMENT FROM A VALUED CLIENT

Successful Resumes Singapore frequently and consistently receives hundreds of testimonials and endorsements from our valued and satisfied clients. Amongst them is this one received yesterday.

"Hi Larry,
The resume and cover letter crafted by you were AMAZING and OUTSTANDING! Thank you for your prompt response. I had a glance through the degree certificate and it looks great. With regards to the cover page, I appreciate your honest feedback and thank you for following up with what I have requested.
Overall, I am very pleased with the timely response on the services that you and your team have provided. I am looking forward to receiving the Jobsearch Toolkit from you.
CCC.., my fiance, is very pleased with the resume you have crafted for me and she wants to choose YOU as her preferred partner in her carer management planning in the coming future." FR
Note: FR, a Malaysian and a Singapore PR, studied in the US and has held appointments in the US, Malaysia and Singapore.
Picture: Larry is pictured with John Little, Managing Director of Successful Resumes International. Larry and Successful Resumes Singapore are frequently featured in and quoted by newspapers, magazines, professional journals, books, national radio stations, Facebook and Linkedin.
Learn more ... www.successfulresumessingapore.com

ADVISORY FOR THE LONG-TERM UNEMPLOYED

13 900 Singaporeans woke up this morning and found themselves nowhere to go to for work. The plight of long-term unemployment can be a very thorny issue confronting government leaders. Singapore included. The long-term unemployment rate in Singapore fell from 0.7% to 0.6% and there were some 13 900 residents who have been looking for work for at least 25 weeks as at June 2014.[Statistics: www.tradingeconomics.com]

What are some practical steps to take if you happen to be one of the 13 900?

                                 Maintain a Positive Mental Attitude

The longer one is out of employment, the more nervous, anxious, insecure and depressed one becomes. Avoid being caught up in negative self-talk.

Stay Connected
Get out of the unemployment "hermit-mind" trap.
Be calm and relaxed. Go out and connect with positive-minded and nurturing friends and relatives and share with them your feelings and concerns. Be active on social media. Join and play an active role in your professional association or neighbourhood club. It is good to get out of your house two or three times a week and catch up with friends or past associates for a meal or coffee. Participate actively in networking events. Remind yourself and the employment people that you are still around and ready to work.

Upgrade and Re-skill
Skills diminish the longer you are out of work. Industries you used to work for have undergone dramatic shifts. The jobs that you used to do have disappeared. This is often referred to as structural unemployment. Go, learn and get trained in new jobskills or study for a degree or diploma. There are hosts of government agencies out there offering these training opportunities and they can even provide training grants.

Re-examine Jobsearch Strategies and Tactics
How effective is your jobsearch and your resume? Is your resume up-to-date, marketing-centred and professionally-presented? It has to be ground-breaking, too. Do you spend at least 30 hours per week on jobsearch?

No Social Stigma
Job security is a thing of the past. Jobsearch is now part and parcel of one's working life. Our survey shows that on an average, a person changes jobs five times in one's work life.

It is good to know that unemployment rate remains low - at 2% in 2014 in Singapore. So there are jobs out there. You just have to be proactive and look for it.

Learn more ... www.successfulresumessingapore.com

LONG-TERM UNEMPLOYMENT

Ready for work [See picture]? Yes, of course! Work we must and need to. Sadly, thousands woke up this morning and found themselves nowhere to go for work. The Singapore Ministry of Manpower [MOM] reported that unemployment has climbed: for university graduates from 2.2% in 2012 to 2.3% in 2013. The rate for those with diplomas stood at 2.9% and those with post-secondary education at 3.9%.[Straits Times 13 Oct 2014]

The greatest fear is getting into LONG-TERM UNEMPLOYMENT or being CHRONICALLY-UNEMPLOYED. Four million Americans officially suffer from this. No official statistics on chronic unemployment is available in Singapore. What is long-term unemployment? Who are considered "long-termed unemployed"? Those who have been out of work or being not gainfully-employed for more than 27 weeks or 6.75 months fall into this category.

Long-term unemployment can wreak havoc on a person's self-esteem and well-being. Staying unemployed could mean the jobseeker being labelled "damaged goods".

In my professional practice, I meet many who are suffering from being "chronically-unemployed". One long-term unemployed related to me his sad story. He told me:" I searched and searched and searched. The days turned into weeks.The months bled into two years. I wouldn't land jobs washing dishes.... One family member even told me that if this goes on for another two years, you better hang yourself."

Throw in the towel? Oh, no, please don't. Seek professional help.

Learn more... www.successfulresfulresumessingapore.com

                                                                                 

Alwyn Lim, 2012 Distinguished Dissertation Award Winner

DO YOU POSITION YOURSELF AS A SUBSTITUTE?

Do you position yourself as a substitute?
If you do, you will be treated like a commodity when you are in your jobsearch and by default you become easier to substitute. Hiring professionals have choices - plenty of choices even when it comes to C-level candidates. That's the nature of a commodity - if one is not suitable, there's always another one around the corner.
Why are you being considered a substitute instead of the chosen one? The problem lies with your resume or Linkedin profile or even both. It it's boring or looks just like anyone of your peers', why do you think it's going to help you get the next promotion or coveted management role? You can't submit an average resume and expect to be put in a premium position.
Learn more ... www.successfulresumessingapore.com
Photo: Larry, Chief Executive and Consulting Principal of Successful Resumes Singapore, advises a client to expeditiously move above the mediocre.

EFFECTIVE JOBSEARCH - ARE YOU A JOB BEGGAR?

Thorough and strategic planning required. No short cuts! Many jobseekers, out of desperation, rush to apply for job roles without any prior researching or forethought to determine if these suit them or their skillsets. Not only will this pretty much guarantee rejection, it will dampen your spirit and confidence.
In today's economy and job market, you will hear and receive 'NO' more often than you hear 'YES'. You must at all cost avoid becoming a "JOB BEGGAR"  - one who is desperate to take anything that comes along one's way.
Maintain confidence. Cultivate resilience. Don't squander your chance by applying for jobs far outside your skills range where you are likely to be rejected anyway.
Seek advice from career management strategy professionals. Consult resume experts. It's worth every cent. Ensure your resume is unique and current. And above all, your resume has to be marketing-centric.

 

 

Learn more ... www.successfulresumessingapore.com
Photos: Larry and Associate, Tim advising clients at a Resume Clinic session during the ST Jobs & Career Development Fair 2014 held at the MBS Convention Centre.

KEY ACTIVITY PARTNER

Successful Resumes Singapore
Key Activity Partner providing professional consulting at the Resume Clinics during the ST Jobs & Career Development Fair 2014. 
www.successfulresumessingapore.com

 

 

WHY SHOULDN'T YOU WRITE YOUR OWN RESUME/CV?

Why shouldn't you write your own resume/cv?
Well, it's like looking in the mirror and giving yourself a haircut! Quite frankly, you won't do such a thing just to save some dollars. What's more with your resume! It's not easy to objectively write a dynamic resume. Some who opt the DIY or go-it-alone method often end up with a disastrous result.
It's your CAREER we're talking about. How much can you really save if your job applications get tossed out? How much money are you saving by being out of work for longer or stuck in a lower paying job without much prospect? If you just sit down and do a simple calculation, you will realise you are losing thousands of dollars - just because you didn't want to pay a few hundred dollars for a professionally-crafted resume. Not a good investment, isn't it?
A Resume Writing Professional and Career Management Strategist can help you increase your employer appeal by developing your IMAGE and building your PERSONAL BRANDING. It's worth investing a small sum in engaging a professional to do up your resume, linkedin profile or executive profile.
Photos: Larry advising clients [first photo] and speaking to participants at the ST Jobs & Career Development Fair 2014 seminar at the MBS Convention Centre on 'Why a Killer Resume".
Details: www.successfulresumessingapore.com

WHAT YOU WEAR AND HOW YOU LOOK

 

What you wear and how you look matter during a job interview. The fact that you have been singled out for that interview, means you have made the cut. So, don't blow your chance. Take this opportunity to create an impact and make yourself stand out from the rest waiting in the interview queue. So, dress well and look perfect for this special occasion. Remember, first impression counts.

For more information logon to www.successfulresumessingapore.com.

HOW TO WRITE A KILLERRESUME

SEMINAR ON "WHY A KILLER RESUME?"

Larry speaking at the Seminars held in conjunction with the ST Jobs Career and Development Fair 2014 on 12 and13 July 2014 at the Marina Bay Sands Convention Centre. Title of my talk "WHY A KILLER RESUME". It drew large crowds.
www.successfulresumessingapore.com

 

COLOUR EMOTION GUIDE

Knowing one's own emotion colour helps in one's relationship management. Which colour is yours?
www.successfulresumessingapore.com

PREAPRING FOR THE JOB INTERVIEW: FACING THE iNTERVIEW BOARD

THE INTERVIEW VENUE
Know exactly where, when and with whom the INTERVIEW will take place. Ask about parking or the best public transport to use in advance so you are not trying to figure it out on the day. Give yourself extra time and arrive EARLY for the interview.

www.successfulresumessingapore.com

PREPARING FOR THE JOB INTERVIEW

Now that you have got that important interview invite, you need to prepare well for that crucial date with the Interview Board. Don't blow away your chances. There are couple of things you should do to vastly improve your chances at this point.
1. Do your homework. Be proactive and research the types of questions that you will be asked.
2. Think through the interview process thoroughly and come up with some important and pertinent questions of your own to ask the Interview Board members. Interview is a two-way street and interviewers like you to ask them questions.

www.successfulresumessingapore.com

Ten Steps to a Successful Career Transition

IS YOUR JOB STRESSFUL?

Is your job stressful? These 11 factors are a simple way to find out if yours is.
1. Travel - the more you travel, the higher the stress
2. Growth potential - Dead-end jobs tend to create more stress.
3. Deadlines
4. Working in the public eye
5. Competitiveness with the organisation you work
6. Physical demands
7. Environmental conditions
8. Own life at risk
9. Hazards encountered
10. Meeting the public
11.Life of another at risk.

Many in S'pore find work a chore: Poll, HR Updates, Singapore Jobs, Job Resources - STJobs

Many in S'pore find work a chore: Poll, HR Updates, Singapore Jobs, Job Resources - STJobs

ST JOBS FAIR 2014

Singapore' largest job fair - the ST Job Fair 2014 will be held on Saturday, 12 July and Sunday, 13 July at the Marina Bay Sands. Some 55 000 people are expected to attend.
Once again, we are honoured to be invited to partner ST Jobs to conduct the Resume Clinics for both days. This is our second invite in a row by ST Jobs and this augurs well for Successful Resumes Singapore. It shows that we have the credibility, professionalism, commitment, expertise and experience expected by ST Jobs for their 'clients' at the fair.
To avoid disappointment, register early for the Resume Clinics at the link below.
St Jobs is part of the national newspaper - The Straits Times.
www.stjobs.sg/fair

THOSE WORKING IN SINGAPORE NOT HAPPY WITH THEIR CURRENT SALARY

According to a new report conducted soon after Singapore was cited as the most expensive city in the world, 80% of respondents said that they were not happy with their current salary. People living and working here believe that they need to earn much more in order to cope with Singapore's rising cost of living.

These statistics from the report are worth noting:

• Number of people not happy with their current salary: over 83%
• Ideal salary per month: S$6000

Those earning S$3000 per month or less:

• Struggle to make ends meet with their current salary: 23%
• Salary could cover basic needs and some small luxuries: 31%
• Cover basic needs: 42%
• Comfortable with current salary: 4%

How money is being spent

• Paying for basic necessities: between 30% to 40% of salary with housing taking up the chunk of that spend

What working people in Singapore need to earn to be satisfied with their salary:

• Increase salary by 20%: 66%
• Ideal amount of salary: More than 50% indicated S$6000 per month

One way to beat the blues is to look for another job that pays you more. To do that you would need an outstanding and marketing-centric resume to help you get there. For details on how we can help, visit: www.successfulresumessingapore.com
www.successfulresumessingapore.com

DEGREE HOLDERS MOST VULNERABLE TO RETRENCHMENT

National newspaper 'The Straits Times' carried this headline in today's edition [26 May 2014] "Degree Holders Most Vulnerable to Retrenchment'. This is quite scary. It further reported that 62% of those retrenched found jobs within a year. This further confirms my view that "There is no such a thing as job security."
Those with polytechnic diploma and professional qualifications have a slight advantage. 65% of them found jobs within a year and 71% of those with secondary education did find jobs within the same period.
The job market in Singapore is not quite rosy and there hosts of reasons why the retrenched find it much harder to find a job.
Two key factors that these people need to be aware of and understand are:
1. A strategic jobsearch plan
2. An outstanding, market-centric resume.

www.successfulresumessingapore.com  

LAUNCH OF CORPORATE FACEBOOK PAGE

The official Facebook corporate page of Successful Resumes Singapore was launched on Friday, 23 May 2014.
Please visit and like our page. Follow us and read our posts and links, and we are sure our fans and friends will find these posts and links informative and helpful when embarking on their Jobsearch campaign.

NEW FACEBOOK CORPORATE PAGE

We at Successful Resumes Singapore will be rolling out a new corporate page for Successful Resumes Singapore this week. Do follow us and LIKE us. We will post informational articles and inspiring write-ups on career change and jobsearch. We hope our fans, friends and readers will benefit from this new initiative.

JOB SECURITY OR CAREER PERMANENCY

Are you aware that an average working professional changes his or her job once every four years? Amongst the reasons, redundancy, company downsizing or a company moving offshore seem to top the list. Or simply, your job function has been eliminated. Your job has disappeared. Gone are those days - during your parents' time when hard work, sacrifice, dedication was a simple formula for long term job security and a predictable climb up the ladder of success. If you subscribe to this precept in your career planning, you will be totally disappointed. Your employers still expect hard work, sacrifice and dedication from you but for a different motive - to boost the company's profit profile. You can be replaced. Your job can be eliminated and replaced by a computerised gizmo.
The job security and steady, predictable professional growth that your parents enjoyed as a norm is now a thing of the past. It's now history. You have to wake up and face a new reality in career planning. We live in a time of immense change. We now face a totally different economic scenario. You have to be fully and mentally prepared to change job or career once every four years or sooner.
So, what's next?
Embark on a strategic life-long career planning now!

www.sucessfulresumssingaoe.com

World's Toughest Job - #worldstoughestjob - Official Video

MORE PROFESSIONALS, MANAGERS, EXECUTIVES and TECHNICIANS [PMETs] LAID OFF in 2013

Singapore's Ministry of Manpower [MOM] released some sombre retrenchment statistics on 24 April. PMETs, whose jobs were once regarded as one of the most secured in Singapore, are now considered most at risk. In 2013, retrenchment of PMETs rose by 5% when compared to 2012. In figure terms, some 11 560 PMETs were laid off. They made up of 56% of those who lost their jobs in 2013.

MOM voiced concern over retrenched PMETs 'taking longer to secure re-entry into employment.' Those aged 50 and above have the hardest time finding gainful employment.

On the brighter side, MOM and employment experts assured Singaporeans that unemployment rate was still low. National Employers Federation President said those retrenched PMETs should be able to find work provided they were not choosy. Re-skilling and acquiring an additional or a further academic qualification would be an added asset and advantage when job searching.

Successful Resumes, Singapore's leading enterprise in resume writing and job search strategic planning, can help you.
Visit us at www.successfulresumessingapore.com

OUR RESUME WRITING PACKAGES

OUR RÉSUMÉ WRITING PACKAGES

Successful Résumés Singapore offers you three unique Résumé Writing Packages and you can see at a glance what is included in each package. We can also tailor packages to suit your requirements and budget.  Contact our TOP-NOTCH Résumé Writing Professionals NOW and we’ll be pleased to provide you a quote.

PREMIUM

·        Brand new customised professional résumé tailored

to your specific needs and requirements of the Hiring

Professionals

·        High-Impact Cover Letter

·        Succinct Linkedin Profile or Executive Profile

·        Cover Page in Full Colour

·        Professional Formatting

·        Jobsearch Toolkit

·        Jobsearch Advisory and Support

·        Three free edits within 60 days from date of emailing first edition/draft to you

EXECUTIVE

·        Brand new customised professional résumé tailored to your specific needs and requirements of the Hiring Professionals

·        High-Impact Cover Letter

·        Cover Page in Full Colour

·        Professional Formatting  •  Jobsearch Toolkit

·        Jobsearch Advisory and Support

·        Two free edits within 60 days from date of emailing first edition/draft to you

STANDARD

·        Reviewing, editing and rewriting certain or some areas of your current résumé to bring it up to date, give it a professional look and feel and transform it into a

top-selling, value-packed marketing document

[Note: This process is recommended only if your résumé is of acceptable, reasonable standard according to our professional opinion.]

·        High-Impact Cover Letter  •  Jobsearch Toolkit

Write Your Ressume for the Reader

Write Your Resume for the Reader

Many clients contact me because they have applied for a large number of jobs without getting invited to an interview.
Some people simply provide their current resume, saying something along the lines of “All the information you need is in the attached document”. If this is correct then either they don’t have the qualifications or experience required for this new position, or the information in their resume doesn’t really tell the reader what he/she needs to know. If you are not getting an interview, imagine that you are the recruiter trying to select the best applicants when you only have the information provided in possibly hundreds of resumes.

No Errors

It is highly unlikely that a resume with spelling mistakes and grammatical errors will create a good impression. You should remember that a resume is a summary, and whilst it is not written in the same way that you would write a novel or magazine article, it should make sense and contain no spelling errors. Hence, if the first paragraph in your resume states “I am Computer Engineer working as a business analyst in the changing environment of them” then you need someone from the Successful Resumes team to help you.

Demonstrate Qualities

Each job advertisement usually contains reference to the skills and experience needed to work successfully in that role. If your resume shows the reader how your experience and skills make you ideally suited to this position, then they will want to meet you and obtain further information. However, it is not sufficient to simply list your roles and responsibilities. You need to clearly show the reader how you demonstrated these qualities during your employment.

Highlight Relevant Skills

Most of the resumes people send to me show the name of their employer, the title of their position in the company, and the length of time they were employed in that position. Some of them go on for five or six pages listing all the positions they have held during their working life. Think of the person reading this document. Do you really believe they want to know the responsibilities associated with your employment 10 or even 20 years ago? Your higher order skills should be associated with your most recent employment, and this is what you should emphasise.

Describe Skills

Some people quote from their position description when listing responsibilities and miss an ideal opportunity to sell their skills. If I read in a resume that a person had responsibility for “Identifying opportunities for system improvements”, I immediately ask myself “How did he/she do this?” I believe it would be better to say something like “Logged system failures, conducted root cause analysis, prepared and implemented system improvements which reduced maintenance calls by 10% during 2012”.

Specify Achievements

Specifying your achievements allows you to show how your skills and experience make you better than the other applicants. It is better to nominate two or three of the most significant achievements of your career, than try to find achievements for every role you carried out. When a Business Development Manager lists as an achievement “Implementation of promotional activities” he/she is missing an ideal opportunity to impress. Perhaps it would be better to think about the type of activities you implemented and how much new business they generated. Depending on your experience, you may be able to write something like “Conducted quarterly seminars for existing and potential clients, and implemented third party sales incentives which resulted in a 15% increase in revenue.” Think carefully about the achievements you nominate, because you want them to showcase your outstanding qualities. Too many resumes include achievements that read like a list of responsibilities. If it’s an achievement to carry out your current responsibilities, then you are not ready for a promotion.

Remember that whilst you know your strengths and how you have contributed to the success of your company, the person reading your resume only knows what you tell them. Make sure you provide the information that shows how you stand out from the crowd. If you find it hard to market your skills and experience in a resume, then you need to talk with one of the Successful Resumes team.

Article by Noel Logan, professional writer for Successful Resumes Melbourne

 

HOW TO WRITE AN IMPACTFUL RESUME

Conducted a 3-hour workshop on Resume Writing for more than 45 graduating students [final year degree course students] organised by PSB Academy at its campus in Bukit Ho Hwee on Tuesday, 18 March 2014.
These students were extremely eager in wanting to know how to write a resume that can win them interviews.

 

 

SUCCESSFUL RESUMES SINGAPORE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tapping Singapore's hidden talent pool, HR Updates, Singapore Jobs, Job Resources - STJobs

Tapping Singapore's hidden talent pool, HR Updates, Singapore Jobs, Job Resources - STJobs

Gift - Singapore Drama Short Film // Viddsee

CAREER MARKETING COMMUNICATIONS

1. How do you outperform the fierce competition in the recruiting process?
2. Who is finally offered the job position?

For details, log onto www.successfulresumessingapore.com

WRITING AN IMPACTFUL RESUME

Have been invited by PSB Academy to conduct a workshop on " Writing an Impactful Resume". The response is overwhelming.

BARCLAYS SLASHED JOBS

Barclays, UK's second largest bank by assets, has announced cutting of 12 000 jobs - 7 000 of these in the UK alone. Cuts include 220 at managing director's level and 600 at director's. This downsizing applies to the bank's operations worldwide. It's a sizable and this cut further reminds us that we can't look to the banking sector for a secure, long term career any more.
On the brighter side, though there is no such thing as job security, there are always job opportunities. One must not be complacent. Retrenchment can happen to anyone, any time. So, be prepared for it and if one does that, the impact is more bearable. What, then, can one do? Re-skill oneself, acquire a higher academic qualification, network, lookout for better career opportunities and most importantly, get one's RESUME updated and ready at all times.
Visit www.successfulresumessingapore.com for more information.

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                               From all of us at Successful Resumes Singapore

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