Resume Tips – Back to Basics

By Kristi Gage
Corporate Branch Manager and Bilingual Recruiter, Gage Personnel

1. HEADING: Present your resume in a clean, easy-to-read fashion by starting with your name, address, telephone number and a professional email address.
2. PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY: Present your strongest skill sets in a brief Summary at the top of your resume. Remember to keep this very broad as you may be applying for a variety of jobs.  A Summary is different than an Objective, and can help employers see why you could be a good fit for their organization.  It takes less emphasis off of your GOALS, and puts more emphasis on your SKILLS AND STRENGTHS. If you are a sales representative, Google “Professionals Summary for Sales Representative” for examples of a strong Professionals Summary for that field.  Be sure not to plagiarize; this is just to give you an idea of how this section should be worded.
3. EXPERIENCE: Remember to present your work history in chronological order, with your most recent employment first.  You must provide dates of employment (Month and Year, or just Year), and above all, make sure the dates are correct.
4. EDUCATION: Remember to present your education in the next section, with your most recent education first.  Dates are not necessary in this section.
5. SKILLS: You may add a list of additional skill sets that will highlight your strengths, experiences and any additional training you might have.  For example, you may want to include your experience with Microsoft Office programs, which may not have been made clear in your work history.  Don’t take your skills for granted – it’s OK to brag!
6. COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT:  While this section is not necessary, many employers like to see candidates that can highlight their volunteer efforts, memberships to local organizations, committees, etc.

Remember that it is important to include a cover letter that is very specific to each job and company that you apply for.  Your cover letter is your chance to set yourself apart from a sea of resumes being submitted to an HR person.  In your cover letter, you should include why you think you may a good fit for a particular position or why you may be a great match for their company.  It would also be a great idea to research a company or position prior to submitting your resume… this way you can stay up to date on current news, and perhaps congratulate an employer on their recent successes – such as awards, accolades, expansions, etc.

Be careful not to talk yourself out of a job before you even get the chance to interview.  It is best NOT to include your salary requirements in your cover letter or resume.  Today, employers find it acceptable to receive resumes that are longer than one (1) page.  If you can keep it to two (2) pages, that may be ideal for most employers.  Use the same font throughout your entire resume… and remember to double check your spelling!

6 Ways to Improve Your Networking Skills

You’ve heard it every time you’ve asked for advice on how to find a job. You have to network. The age of social media has made this seem easier than ever, but sometimes the sea of web pages can be just as difficult to navigate as an industry mixer. Both old- and new-school techniques can be applied to the 21^st century job search. Here are 6 ways to maximize your networking.

1.  Tell Everyone That You’re Looking For a Job. Pride is sometimes our own worst enemy. It’s hard to admit to total strangers that you’re out of work. One of the most common questions when you meet someone new is “So, what do you do?”  You can answer it honestly but then add “I am currently between opportunities. Do you know anyone looking for someone like me?”  This will plant the seed in their mind.
2. Use LinkedIn Effectively. LinkedIn is one of the best resources for professional networking currently available. Make sure you use it to best of your ability. Update your job title and reflect that you are seeking a new opportunity in your chosen field. When making a new connection, don’t simply send the pre-typed introduction message. Take a moment to write a couple quick sentences explaining who you are and why you would like to connect with them.
3. Prepare Your Elevator Pitch. A common practice in a lot of industries is to develop a short speech to describe your product or service to a new prospect. Consider what you have to offer and make sure you communicate your message effectively.
4. Carry Business Cards. When you’re telling everyone you meet that you are looking for a job and you’ve effectively shared your elevator pitch, you need to close the deal. They won’t remember you if you don’t give them the tools with which to do so. Have professional cards made up and include an easy to remember email address such as “firstname.lastname”.
5. Join Face To Face Business Networks. Look in your area for groups in your industry that meet regularly and get an invitation. Networking groups are usually very excited to have new members and more participation.
6. Start a Blog. If you are looking for a new opportunity, position yourself as an industry leader. Begin a blog that shares your insights on your industry and its best practices. When you meet that stranger and share your elevator pitch, you can include that you write about the topic as well. Make sure you have the web address on your business card as well.

Looking to expand your career search? Contact Gage Personnel to tap into their established network.

5 Ways the Job Search Has Changed Post-Recession

It is no secret that the job market has permanently changed since the recession. While there is improvement in hiring there are new things to consider when looking for a position. Keeping these things in mind is important to successfully conducting your post-recession job search.

1. The Jobs Landscape has permanently changed. The truth is there are some jobs that are just no longer available in today’s market. Some of the positions that were eliminated in the recession have not and will not come back. Reinventing yourself and leveraging your transferable skills will be imperative to convincing a hiring manager that you are a good fit for their open position.
2. Show activity even in times of unemployment. If you have been out of work for some time an interviewer is bound to ask the question, “What have you been doing since your last position?”  The worst answer to this question is “Looking for a job.”  Periods of high unemployment take their toll for sure, but employers are looking for positivity in their next hiring decision. Make sure you can answer that question with something tangible. Did you do some volunteer work? Did you start writing that book you always wanted to write? Did you take that opportunity to spend more time with your family? Take that time to focus on what you have done rather than your unemployment and it will reflect positively on you as a candidate.
3. Networking is important. Prior to the recession the major job boards were king, but now companies don’t want to find anonymous candidates on the internet. Networking has always been important and referrals are the best way to make new employment connections in the market today. Using a staffing company to help you find a job is one great way to make this happen. They already have a network of clients and can market your skills.
4. There is no such thing as a conventional resume. There is no one way to write a resume and no matter how many people you ask for opinions, you’ll get just as many conflicting answers. Your resume is a marketing campaign for you. You can no longer have just one resume and be able to send it to every company to which you are applying. You need to tailor your resume for every opportunity.
5. There is much more competition. Even though the market is improving there are still a lot of people looking for jobs. This means you might be one of several candidates interviewing for the same open position, and only one of you can get the offer. Employers have the luxury to interview lots of people to find the one they consider “perfect” for that job. Make sure that you show them why you are the candidate they should hire.

Looking for the best way to find a job in the changing employment market? Gage Personnel can be an advocate for you.

Job Searching While Employed

People often say that it is easier to find a job when you have a job. It seems as though that couldn’t possibly be true, but there are many reasons why employers want to hire people who are currently working. You’ve already shown that you have value in the workforce and employers like to have some sense of security in their hiring decisions. There are a few things to keep in mind when looking for work while still employed.

• Evaluate your reason for leaving. Are you looking for something else because you don’t like your current work environment? Are there people you don’t enjoy working with? Is the commute farther than you would prefer? Do you want to make more money or do a different type of job all together?  When you search for a new job the interviewer is going to want to know your reason for wanting to leave your current position and you will need to articulate that in a way that makes the new company think very positively of you as an employee. Also keep this in mind when you turn in your notice. Your current employer might try to present a counter offer but you need to remember that the reasons you want to leave aren’t necessarily going to change even if they offer more money or a promotion.
• Maintain confidentiality. Since you don’t want you let your current employer know you’ve been looking for another job until after you have an offer, make sure you keep your search confidential. Be careful who you tell, what social media sites you share details on, and where you post your resume. Be honest with the companies you’re interviewing with and ask them not to reach out to your current employer and provide contact information of other references for their convenience. Since companies like to hire currently employed workers, this request won’t hurt your job search.
• Continue to work effectively for your current employer. Just because you are ready for a change, don’t use it as a reason to perform poorly in your current position. Schedule interviews for lunch hours or days off. Respect your current employer’s time and be sure to complete any work that is required of you. Don’t use your current company’s phone, fax, or email to conduct your job search. This will make the process of leaving more pleasant after you put in your two week notice.

Looking to start your job search? Contact Gage Personnel to find the best next step for your career.

JOB FAIR – Skilled Labor and Clerical positions!

Looking for the right job?
Attend Gage Personnel’s Job Fair!

Date: Wednesday, February 15, 2012 – from 10:30am to 2:30pm!

To be held at:
Holiday Inn Express
24 South Willowdale Drive
Lancaster, PA

Jobs available immediately include:
Assembly
Accounts Payable/Receivable
Administrative Assistants
Machine Operators
Maintenance Mechanics/Technicians
Molding Technicians
Diesel Mechanics
Janitorial

Can’t come to the job fair?  Call Gage Personnel’s Ephrata office at 717.336.5959 for more information.

Keep Your New Year’s Resolutions This Year!

Have you made any New Year’s resolutions in recent years? And how did those go? If you haven’t exactly stuck to your resolutions, don’t be too hard on yourself. After all, most people tend to let their resolutions fall by the wayside after a few months. But your resolutions can have a major impact on your career.

Use your New Year’s resolutions to jump start your career.

Get off to a great start in 2012 and head toward your career goals with these three keys to successful resolutions:

1. Be very specific. Ever notice how vague the most common resolutions are? When are you supposed to think you’ve achieved, “lose weight?” Ten pounds? Twenty? Don’t set a vague goal without set terms. Instead, be as specific as possible with your resolutions. If you’d like to lose 20 pounds, then focus on that number, and how you’re going to get there.

2. Shoot for the moon…maybe. Put simply – be realistic. If you’re a cashier and you want to eventually be CEO, you might just need more than a year to do it. And if your goals are too far out of reach, you’re far less likely to do anything about them. Instead, set a goal that is high, but not so high there’s little likelihood you can achieve it in 2012.

3. Remember that a year is a long time. You’ve set a realistic goal, but a year is certainly a long time. To make your resolutions more reasonable (and manageable), set incremental goals during the year. You can set them monthly, bi-monthly, or at whatever points you think will help. For example, using a common resolution – weight loss, your goal might be to lose 30 pounds in 2012. To break it down, you could aim to lose 10 pounds by April 30th, another 10 pounds by August 31st, and the final 10 by December 31st.

Ready to soar in 2012?
Gage Personnel can help you take the next step in your career. Search our available jobs today to get started.

Tap Into the “Hidden” Job Market

Have you been searching for a job? The market for job seekers can be pretty tough! With an up and down economy, and the normal fluctuations that occur at this time of year, it can be especially difficult to find a new career opportunity. And traditional job search methods can result in your resume ending up in a heap of dozens — or even hundreds.

Have you tapped into the “hidden” job market?

Do you know where your resume goes after you hit the “send” button? It likely ends up on a recruiter’s desk – along with another few hundred resumes! You can slog it out against the masses and hope for the best, or you can up your chances and tap into the “hidden” job market with these three tips:

1. Research. Try to help companies in need – and their number one need is talent (that’s you!). Put in some time to research potential employers. Delve into their histories and current challenges, then reach out to them (a letter send via priority shipping always demonstrates a level of credence and importance) with concrete examples of how you can help them improve their business. You’d be amazed how many “hidden” jobs can arise when you demonstrate your specific value to an organization!
2. Be confident. Sure, confidence is important when searching for jobs. But instead of being confident, try showing some ownership of your desired position. Show some initiative and put together a business card and brochure with both your information and your prospective employer’s information. By demonstrating your knowledge of the company, and your recognition of how your strengths will lend themselves to on-the-job results, you’ll display a confidence that outpaces any interviewee.
3. Flex your creative muscles . After awhile, all cover letters and resumes can start to look the same to hiring managers. Don’t be another boring resume and cover letter! Try something unique, like sending a QR code that, when scanned, directs visitors to your website. Get as creative as you can – but don’t get so complicated that it’s difficult for employers to find the information they need.

Looking for your next career opportunity?
Search our currently available jobs or contact a Gage Personnel recruiter today. We’ll help you reach your career goals!

Banish Holiday Stress and Relax!

With the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, you may feel like you have way more on your to-do list than you can possibly accomplish. This stress can eclipse your personal and professional lives, and can have a dramatic impact on your productivity this time of year. Plus, it can leave you feeling miserable!

Don’t become the office grump.

Don’t let holiday stress impact your workday. Here are four low-cost ways to reduce stress and feel better:

1. Take a break. Get up, walk around, even go outside and go for a quick walk. Sometimes the best way to relax is to get away from what’s causing the stress in the first place! If only for a few minutes, get away from your desk and indulge in some stress-free activity.
2. Schedule your day. No schedule is impenetrable, but if you block out your day, leaving room for unexpected occurrences, you’ll be better equipped to handle the stress that can creep up during a typical workday. Identify your top tasks for the day, and schedule them (even adding them to your Outlook calendar, if appropriate). You’ll be more likely to stick to them, and you’ll have a great sense of accomplishment at the end of the day!
3. Breathe deeply. Deep breathing doesn’t take long, but the impact can be profound. Close your eyes (well, read this first), sit up straight, and inhale deeply to a count of six. Then exhale slowly to a count of seven. Repeat 10 times. Now, tell me that you don’t feel relaxed! Deep breathing is proven stress-reducing technique. It will help you relax and focus, and approaching your day will seem far less insurmountable.
4. Get more sleep. Staying up until 1am to watch that “I Love Lucy” marathon may have seemed like a good idea at the time, but now you’re dragging, and ever little thing is setting you off. Moral of the story? Get some sleep. Regularly. You’ll feel better, and your day will be much more easy to handle.

Ready for a change of pace in your career?
Come to Gage Personnel. We work with top employers across Berks County, and we’ll find you a new job to help you reach your goals.

Being Prepared – How Preparation Can Land You a Job

Finding a job can seem like a full-time job on its own. And just like in your career, preparation and hard work can go far toward landing you your next great career opportunity. Being prepared can be the difference between your next job, and continuing your search.

Being prepared for interviews doesn’t have to be difficult.

Being fully prepared for your job interviews is one of the best ways to land your next great career opportunity. These three tips will help you be prepared, and put your best foot forward, during your next job interview:

1. Do your homework.
Maybe you’ve sent out 5, 25 or even 100 resumes over the past few weeks or months. It can be confusing when you’re applying to so many different employers. But when your resume has been selected for further consideration, you should do some brief background work on the interviewing company. At a minimum, spend five or 10 minutes reading their website to have an understanding of what they do, and what your role will be within the organization.

2. Take advantage of asking questions.
When you’re doing your research to understand the company, prepare at least two or three insightful questions to ask toward the end of the interview. Many times, candidates are so relieved to have made it through the interview that they dismiss this time to get out of the room. This is a huge mistake! You have one final opportunity to shine in your interview, so ask insightful questions. You’ll demonstrate a definitive interest in both the position and the company. You’ll also show incredible initiative.

3. Use numbers to back up your experience.
Resumes often address responsibilities in generalities and broad statements. When you come to your interview, be prepared to back up those statements with tangible results.  If you can, bring examples of your work, or other “real” explanations of your accomplishments. And be prepared to talk in detail about any item mentioned in your resume or cover letter. Your resume landed you the interview – now it’s your time to step up your game and show why you’re the best match for the organization.

Searching for jobs in Berks County?
Here at Gage Personnel, we help professionals like you land great career opportunities. Search our currently available jobs in Berks County to get started!

Tips for Successful Self Promotion

Have you been applying to job opportunities without much response? Are you getting frustrated by the hundreds of emails your sending with seemingly little result?

A successful job search require more than sending out resumes. If you’re looking for your next career opportunity, you need to be proactive – market yourself to employers, and find the best match.

Self-Promotion Is Key
Sending out faceless resumes over the Internet is a common job search method, but it should be just a percentage of your career search.  Use the following tips to help you stand out from the crowd and take your career by the reigns:

1. Join Professional Networking Organizations
Most areas have significant opportunities for professionals to meet others in their fields.  Or, become involved in your local chamber of commerce.  The point is – get out in the community and meet new people. Mention that you are searching for your next opportunity, a low-key sell, and you never know what opportunities could arise.  Have you ever heard the phrase, “It’s all in who you know?”  Get out and meet more people!

2. Market Yourself on Social Media Sites.
If you’re not active on LinkedIn – now’s the time to start! LinkedIn has more than 100 million users – and you’ll be surprised how many connections you can have.  Connections whose employers may need talented professionals like you!  Also, consider setting up business-only profiles on Facebook and Twitter.  Connect with former co-workers or professionals in your field, and use your statuses and tweets to show off your skills.

3. Do Your Homework
Research top employers in your area.  Many cities offer “Top Employer” lists in a variety of companies. If these companies are growing and successful, chances are they may be hiring! Reach out to people in businesses of interest and introduce yourself.  Consider asking for career advice or tips to finding opportunities in your area.  If an opportunity isn’t immediately available, your contact could place you top of mind when opportunities do arise.

Ready to take the next step in your career?
Gage Personnel offers temporary and permanent career opportunities in a range of specialties. Our experienced recruiters are experts at matching your unique qualifications and experience to the perfect career opportunity.