Why "One Size Doesn't Fit All" When It Comes to Your Resume

I never really understood the concept behind the phrase, "One Size Fits All". How could a size 2 dress fit a person who is a size 14? Nevertheless, we would visit stores to purchase it anyway, only to be disappointed when we got home and tried it on. We found out that despite the claim on the tag, it was either too snug or too loose. The truth is while we were able to fit in the item of clothing, the question we had to ask was "Did it fit us well? " One should consider the same question when it comes to resume writing?

Many people are submitting an unbelievable number of resumes weekly, only to be left wondering why they haven't received any response. The answer seems simple, but many don't understand that the resume they are submitting is weak in regard to the positions they apply for. Sending one resume for a multitude of positions is like using one type of bait to catch a variety of fish. You will never get a great return on your investment that way. It's going to be a waste of time, not to mention paper, if you're faxing many of them.

The number one rule in resume writing is to customize each resume according to the position you wish to attain or the employer you want to work for. No one job is ever going to be alike. Consider a former math teacher considering applying for a position as a Spanish teacher. The previous resume, highlighting the teacher's impeccable math skills would no longer be relevant to the Spanish teacher position. The math teacher would now revise the resume to include qualities that would make him a better candidate for the Spanish teacher position. For instance, the teacher may speak Spanish as his/her first language or they may have been a professional Spanish translator. Nonetheless, unless your current resume is an exact match for the position available, do not send without tailoring it first.

Another factor to consider is your objective. Many candidates feel that if they put a basic generic objective, then they will have a greater chance to be considered for the position. WRONG! Be specific, yet brief, about what your expectations are and what you can bring to the position. The hiring manager is looking for that special candidate that knows what they want and aren't afraid to stake their claim. However, this is not a place to mention pay wages or salaries. Never include salary expectations on a resume. If the employer requests salary expectations, you should consider discussing this within your cover letter. However, be careful about giving a specific amount. Consider listing a range that leaves room to negotiate. Some employers ask for a salary history, in which you might list a range also. But make certain your salary history does fall within the range you give, as your salary history is easy to verify.

Lastly, employers are spending less time looking at each individual resume. Because they are receiving hundreds of resumes on average in response to one job ad, they are spending less than 2 minutes scanning each one. Try to keep your resume to one page. There will be times this may be difficult, but try to list the most important skills in your resume and consider mentioning the additional skills in your cover letter. Your resume is not meant to tell everything about you at once, but only to peek their interest. Think of it as going on the first date. If you tell everything about yourself on the first one, the person you're dating may feel they know everything necessary and may not see a need for a second one. Your goal is to give them just enough to warrant a call from them to discuss it in length.

The resume is only a reflection of who you are and what assets you possess which will benefit your next potential employer. A clear, concise and appealing resume should let the hiring manager know that you are indeed a "Great Fit" for their organization.

Seven Tips to Cope With Being Unemployed After a Layoff

By now, it's no surprise that unemployment is a major problem in the United States. I live in a small town that has suffered tremendously due to the shutdown of major manufacturing plants. With the economy seemingly unstable, it's no wonder that a lot of people are fearful However, here are a few tips to help you ride the wave of unemployment and survive the storm.

Rest - Now, I know what you're thinking. "Rest? Are you serious? How am I supposed to rest when I'm not sure how long I will be in this situation. I need to get busy so I can compete with the other 14.5 million people who are unemployed." Whoa! Pump your breaks for a minute. Losing a job can cause a plethora of emotions to surface. So it's certainly fine to take a break of anywhere between a few days to a few weeks to come to terms with the situation. It's important to be rested and ready to embark on the start of your new chapter of life. For many of you who have had the fortune of being employed with one organization for an abundance of years, it's understanding that you would feel somewhat overwhelmed by the circumstance. It's like getting into the dating scene after the end of a ten year courtship. Certainly some things will have changed. But the rest, will help with coming to grips with it and regaining your focus.

Faith - Trust that everything happens for a reason and you will make it through. Reflect back on a time when things seemed all so dark and dreary. Think about how you felt and how you overcame that circumstance. In 2007, I found myself unemployed and watching my father die. It seemed that my world came crashing down. What was I to do? At the time, it seemed like the lowest period of my life. I doubted I'd ever be able to survive and get back on my feet. With the support of God, I overcame and nearly two years later, I am able to stand stronger than I stood before. Looking back, I've had many sad and tiring experiences. But it's strengthened me beyond measure and you too will be better because of it.

Friends and Family - Find a quality support system. Keyword: Quality. At this time in your life, surrounding yourself with positive people is a must. But you also need people who are empathetic, as well as sympathetic. Spend time with people who have had similar experiences and have come out of it better. They'll serve as a reflection of what things are to come for you. As an entrepreneur, I face lows also. But I have an excellent support team, who will allow me to wallow in my pity for a brief moment. But not long enough that I stew in it, if you know what I mean. You need to know that you're going to find something better and it will come in due time. But you also need to understand that you're not alone. There are 14.5 million people who are also seeking employment. But it will not be this way forever.

Get Involved - One of the best ways to forget about your problems is to help someone else with theirs. So finding a place to donate time, if only an hour a day, to a cause you support creates a positive change. It can also be uplifting to know that you made a difference in a special way. During my time unemployed, I would volunteer to run errands for the elderly. It proved to be so uplifting. But it also made me realize how blessed I truly was to have the ability to drive, see, and do for myself; those things are sometimes taken for granted.

Network - The more people you know the farther you can go. Think of it as your own personal yellow pages. Getting to know people by going to a variety of free seminars or workshops of your interest, is a great way to meet people who may help you in your job search. Unfortunately, it's not always about what you know, but who you know that helps people find employment. So if you know 300 people well, you have 300 contacts to potential opportunities. Notice, I said know 300 people well. This doesn't mean that you should pass your personal business cards out to the first 300 people you come in contact with and expect a job opportunity in a week. It means work on relationship building. People only refer those they trust. I can tell you first hand that I'm not recommending anyone that I feel isn't going to enhance my reputation: not even family. I have my own resume writing business. But a friend had asked me if I had considered grant writing. So I attended a local grant writing seminar to get some information about it. It was there that I met one of the greatest marketing experts. I made an appointment to sit down and talk to her and she became one of the greatest assets to me to help build my business. I made an amazing contact without spending a penny that day and I even got free lunch out of it.

Weigh Your Options - There are a lot of things to think about here. What are your options? Do you have savings to sustain you, should your unemployment benefits end without your finding employment? Are there ways for you to reduce your costs of living, such as downsizing to a smaller home or eating out less? Do I want to look for employment in a similar industry? Should I consider going back to school to enhance my former career path or change career paths? These are just a few questions that you may want to answer to help formulate a plan for your future. I have a friend who faced unemployment last year. She was a marketing associate in a big organization. But when she became unemployed, she took a freelance writing gig which required her to write reviews of new establishments in Atlanta. So she took in a friend as a roommate, to make up for the difference in her monthly expenses and continued freelancing and seeking other opportunities that would allow her to write.

Embrace the Change - Get excited! By now, you should be closer to coming to terms with your situation. Your life has officially changed, whether you're ready for it or not. How you handle it, determines it's outcome. This is your chance to write your new chapter. I know many people, myself included, who have had to come to terms with being unemployed. But all of them bounced back and with a vengeance. You have the decision to do something different. What are you going to do? Not too long ago, I met a former colleague who had been laid off, in a grocery store. She told me about her layoff and was very upbeat about it. Seems she had done some serious self reflecting and was excited. She had come to the realization that although she had taken her last job for money, the next opportunity would be for joy! What a great attitude to have!

While it appears that the world is engulfed with despair and sorrow. But while things may not be as great as we'd like. We still have so much to be thankful for. Change is the only constant and we should understand everything is cyclical. We all go through our share of ups and downs. But try to remain positive, as I'm certain that these helpful tips will help you successfully weather the storm.