winning resumes

A winning résumé is one of the best professional investments you can make. It can make a difference in the caliber of job and compensation offers your receive.

Creating a winning résumé involves becoming familiar with multiple résumé styles, discovering how to successfully work with a computerized Applicant Tracking System (ATS) and understanding the importance of keywords. 

As a job seeker, you should have an optimized résumé that showcases your skills and accomplishments to appeal to prospective employers.

Large companies do not have time to go through the innumerable pool of résumés they receive for every open position. For the most part, they use applicant tracking systems to filter and select the best matching résumés.

It works like this. When you upload your résumé to an online career portal, an ATS scans it for keywords relevant to your job application. The formatting has to be correct, such as no abbreviations, borders, lines, and graphics. The main function of ATS programs is to narrow down the pool of applicants.

To be selected, your résumé needs to have the right formatting, choice of words, and layout that best highlights your skills and experience.

Another key to passing the initial test is tailoring your résumé to include keywords or skills from the job posting. This is called extracting keywords. You want to make sure that whatever you list matches up with what the job description mentions.

Keywords need to be strategically positioned throughout your résumé. It’s all about placement. The third-top of the page should provide a snapshot of your professional experience, showcasing why you’re the best candidate. Recruiters typically review résumés starting from top to bottom. Therefore, choose words that are relevant to your goals and the position you’re applying for.

This is why Résumé SHAPE can provide professional insight on how to craft your winning résumé. We have the eyes and the expertise, having been on the other side of the door.

elevator pitch

Every person should have a mission and value statement, an elevator pitch. The goal of the elevator pitch is to market yourself verbally, in thirty seconds. When someone asks you the question, “Tell me about yourself,” you should already know what to say.

Interview techniques

When applying for a job with a company, it is important to understand what skill set and experience the company is looking for. There are several steps to prepare for in the interviewing process. These steps include building rapport with the interviewer, identifying the different types of interview, and closing the interview effectively.

Learning how to develop winning responses in advance is very important. We coach you on how to confidently and effectively carry yourself through a phone interview or a face-to-face interview. We teach you how to use the Linguistic Pattern technique, which is effective during phone interviews. We also offer the opportunity to conduct a mock interview to give you the confidence to perform well during an actual interview.

Salary negotiation

There are certain steps and guidelines to effectively negotiate your total compensation. We are here to guide you through those steps.

networking/hidden job market

A majority of jobs are acquired through the proper networking channels. It is critical to understand proper networking as part of your job search. This can be initiated by building contacts, starting a networking conversation, or creating a self-marketing plan. Developing a business introduction or elevator pitch - your thirty-second commercial - is a great way to start. These activities will empower you to build greater self-confidence, increasing your chance of securing the job you desire.

traNSFERABLE SKILLS

All professionals, career changers, college students and even those re-entering the workforce should learn the concept of transferable skills in their vital job search. In today’s job market, there are certain industry-recognized credentials for in-demand jobs.

finding your shape

Finding your SHAPE is very important when you are going through career transition. Dig deeper in knowing yourself. For instance, if you are right-handed and you’re asked to use your left hand to write your name, you might feel awkward. It is the same thing when you find a job that is not your SHAPE. Your job should match your:

Strengths

Highlights

Accomplishments

Personality

Experience