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Do You Need a Cover Letter?

Do You Need a Cover Letter?

  1. A cover letter can set you apart

Sending a cover letter along with a resume helps job seekers build their brand, the same way an advertising company promotes a product’s brand. Think of your cover letter as a tool to get you ahead of competition while aligning your resume to the job opportunity. As a resume writing service ,we understand the importance of the cover letter and how to create on that excites hiring managers and gets them to turn the page to fully review our client’s resumes.

  1. A cover letter lets you tell a story

A cover letter also gives you an opportunity to include information and explanations that your resume does not allow. A good example is gaps in employment with reasonable explanations can also be addressed in your letter. A brief explanation…… “After several years of raising a family…. “. By providing an cover letter, you can set the stage in the hiring manager’s mind. Where as, without the cover letter and unexplained gap of employment may be considered a period of unemployment. The hiring manager may wonder why no one else has hired the candidate if they have been unemployed for so long.

  1. A cover letter lets you build rapport

Resumes are always fact-based and somewhat formal, but a cover letter can be infused with personality. It is an introduction, and it reveal your core skills and accomplishments so hiring managers give your resume the appropriate attention it deserves.

Candidates who don’t take the time to compose a letter are often viewed as less motivated or interested in the job. Often we serve as a resume coach for clients, and we alert our clients that employers won’t even look at a job application that doesn’t contain a cover letter. Having a well constructed cover letter is ALWAYS better than not having one.

A well-composed cover letter serves as a sample of your writing ability but, unfortunately, the opposite is also true. If you don’t have time to write a strong cover letter that pitches your skills for the job, consider having a professional resume writing service create on for you. We can be contacted at Best Price Resume at 888-215-1159.

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Reasons to Hire a Professional Resume Writer

Reasons to Hire a Professional Resume Writer

Not getting interviews on your own?

Your work experience is impressive, and your skills are impeccable but you’re still not getting any calls. It might be that you have a sub-par resume. At Best Price Resume, we review thousands of resumes each year. We know a professionally written resume can open doors for you that could lead to a great job. We are experts who can tweak your resume and make it relevant to the position you’re applying for. These are advanced nuances that a professional resume writer can assist you with.

Too Shy?

If you’re not the bragging type, you might need an expert to help you through the writing process if you have a hard time talking about yourself, much less writing it all down on paper. There’s no shame in getting help. As a matter of fact, it is likely to be your best investment of the year. At Best Price Resume we take the hassle out of writing the resume and provide our clients back documents within 24 hours. They save time and we provide solutions that are timely and affordable. Writing can be time consuming and one of the toughest assignments as perfection is expected and you’re often your own worst critic.

If all this is too much, consider paying someone to write your resume. Resume writing is a bit of an art, and it can be a good idea to simply compile all of your information and hand it off to a professional resume writing service.

A professional resume writer will know how to highlight your accomplishments because they’re looking at them with objectively. Let your resume writer turn your resume into something that’s personable and professional.

Knowledgeable about hiring practices?

If you’ve been out of the job market for a while, it’s hard to know what the current hiring practices are without a lot of time-consuming research.

We have been in business for nearly a decade and we have created over 10,000 resume documents. We are very familiar with industry trends and resume writing best practices. Further, our resume writers are trained in creating effective documents in a timely manner. Our resume makers have amassed a vast amount of Insider knowledge, which is an extra bonus of using a resume writing service.

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Writing Your Resume

Writing Your Resume

  1. List your Personal Details

These will be on the header of your resume. This should include your name, address with zip code, phone number and email address (avoid using an unprofessional e-mail address). If you are having a writer complete the resume for you make sure to provide your resume writer with all your information. Let the resume writer decide what is the appropriate information to highlight.

  1. List Your Experiences and Skills

List your current or most recent job first, and work backwards in time. Include your job title, your employer’s name, and the city and state in which it is located. Also, the start and end dates (month and year) of your employment. For each position, add a summary of your responsibilities and accomplishments. Don’t worry if there are gaps in the timeline, but keep everything in chronological order, with most recent jobs at the top. Always start each achievement with an accomplishment verb. If you’re not familiar with this, your resume writer can take of it for you. Have your resume writer decide what is the appropriate information to highlight.

  1. List Your Education

List the schools you’ve attended, starting with the most recent one. Include details such as GPA, class rank or special awards. Also, include your training programs, community college or summer courses, and seminars. Again, let the resume writer decide what is the appropriate information to highlight.

  1. List Your Activities

This is where to list your membership or leadership positions in clubs, organizations of any kind, athletic teams, community organizations and so on. If you’ve had an interesting job unrelated to the field you’re pursuing, add it here. If you are unsure which ones should be included, your professional resume writer will filter it for you.

Generally, don’t waste space including references on your resume. Employers assume that you can provide them with these. You should be proactive and provide a printed list of references during an interview.

Listing the raw data you want included in your resume will ensure that your professional resume writer will not miss any important details. Let the resume writer review the details and decide what is important and how to structure and organize. Experienced resume writers recognize each client is unique and there are no one size fits all or templates to create an effective resume. At Best Price Resume all of our writers are experienced in the different fields from having completed thousands of resumes. The resume writing process remains the same, but each completed resume is handcrafted and unique to the client, providing clients with an effective resume in a fast and affordable manner.

Best Price Resume (888.215.1159) develops for clients effective resumes and can help you gain a competitive advantage over your competition. It is worth considering paying someone to write your resume. Resume writing is a bit of an art, and it can be more efficient to just send all of your information and hand it off to a professional resume writing service.

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Top Resume Writing Tips

Top Resume Writing Tips from Professional Resume Writers

  1. Keep It Error Free

A company won’t be impressed by your resume if it contains spelling and grammar errors. Even a single spelling error demonstrates your inability to pay attention to details. When building your resume, do a thorough edit to ensure that there are no careless mistakes on your resume. It’s also wise to have at least two other people proofread your resume and give you recommendations. Consider hiring a certified professional resume writer to review as well.

It’s not only the grammatical error that kills your chance to land your dream job. We see this more often than seems possible. This happens when you incorrectly list a phone number or email address and obviously, the hiring team cannot contact, this seriously limits and even kills your chances of getting hired.

  1. Keep it Professional

A resume is a serious document, and you need to write it with a professional tone. Humor is highly discouraged (what about your email partytime@aolz.com. Companies are looking at hundreds of resumes and want documents that showcase your skills, experience and education, and most of the time, not your fun and quirky personality. With a serious and professional resume, you will be taken seriously.

  1. Keep It Polished & Organized

Make it as simple as possible. Don’t use a wide variety of fonts and don’t use quirky, creative fonts. Use fonts that are crisp, clean and easy to read. Resume designs for Best Price Resume were originally created by a graphic designer. We use good design principles to get as much as possible on a page while still maintaining readability.

Remember it is the content that truly counts. If you are applying for a creative position, you might be asked to submit examples of your work. Let the work speak for itself and keep the resume professional.

Keep your resume organize by using sections. You will want a Summary section that introduces you and provides contact information, A Professional Experience section that details work experience, and sections that detail specific skills, a section for education, certifications, references, etc. Use the same font and style for each header and the same format for each bullet point under the headers. Keeping the same style throughout the document makes it easier to read and more pleasing to the eye.

Make it easy for hiring managers to quickly review. Generally, a resume gets scanned for 25 seconds or less. Scanning is more difficult if it is hard to read, poorly organized or exceeds proper length.

  1. Keep It Dynamic

Anyone can list a bunch of information on a resume, it’s the way you write it that counts. For instance, we see resumes that states things like “worked on a wide variety of projects.” Instead of this weak type of resume writing, you might state this more powerfully and with keywords you “created and implemented sales strategies and marketing strategies for more than 100 clients that rapidly increased account leads.” This explains the types of projects and showcases your ability to work for many different companies. When we are resume writing we will take a list of tasks for which you were responsible at previous jobs and rank them toward your future career goals. Then we write them in such a way that they truly showcase your unique skills, abilities and qualifications.

  1. Keep It Short?

In general, the best resumes are those that are short and to the point. So they say. If this would be true last century. Nowadays with advances in machine learning and artificial intelligence, even small firms have access to Application Tracking Systems (ATS) that are used to filter out candidates well before a human starts reviewing the finalist. So in the 21st century, you also have feed the computer review your resume. It needs to be keyword rich such that is gets flagged for review by a human. When you keep it short for a computer, you are dramatically reducing your chances for review by a human. You may have great experience and expressed concisely, but today if you don’t write your resume to get passed the ATS you are putting yourself at a disadvantage.

It can be tricky to write keyword-rich resume content. Our writers here at Best Price Resume do it all the time. It is a skill to get flagged by computer systems while still be easily read by hiring manager. This is not a one or the other it is both. Need to be effective to get past ATS and needs to be readable for hiring manager.

If all this is too much, consider paying someone to write your resume. Resume writing is a bit of an art, and it can be a good idea to simply compile all of your information and hand it off to a professional resume writing service.

 

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Make Your Resume Stand Out

Make Your Resume Stand Out

There are tons of things to consider when writing your resume. How many pages? Do I need a Summary section? Do I need to put in my personal information and extracurricular activities? And this is your one and only chance to impress, so want to get it right. Not to put any more pressure on, but your resume documents are some of your most important financial documents. A great resume can help increase your salary via more invitations for interviews for higher paying jobs. Here are a few tips from our resume writers.

  1. Summaries are the new object statement

The first 15-20 words of your resume are critically important. Write a succinct start. Think of it as a professional statement that captures who you are, what your skills are, what have you accomplished and why you are the perfect candidate for the job. This will give the manager a quick overview of who you are.

  1. Identify accomplishments not just job descriptions, the company, and the position

Avoid generic descriptions of your job, focus on what you did and not what the job was. Hiring managers wants to know how you used your skills, However you still want to make sure you have skills and keywords embedded.

  1. cater your resume for the industry

Don’t think to get the best positions you can get away with a generic resume. As resume writers, we know the importance of create a powerful and unique resume to get you ahead of your competition and to get interview invitations. If you’re not familiar with the job or the company, talk to those in the industry — or ideally two or three people — who have an idea of what is important to hiring managers or otherwise know the organization. This will give you a great amount of ideas, then ask yourself, what words or experiences do I need to highlight? What can I get rid of because it’s not relevant? Tweak your resume to the industry, the company, and the position. As certified professional resume writers this is what we do every day for our clients.

  1. Consider including your volunteer experience

The Deloitte Impact Survey found 82% of those who influence hiring decisions said they are more likely to choose a candidate with volunteer experience — but only one in three resumes in the United States cite volunteer work. This really depends on your industry. But be selective if you a long list of volunteer work, just go with the ones relevant or recent.

  1. Get professional help

Many people overstate — or understate — their achievements or struggle to find the right words. Consider getting professional help. Resume writers are not just professional writers, but they’re experts in making your resume stand out from the rest of the applicant pool. As a resume coach for our clients we can discern what needs to be on your resume and express it all professionally — to get interviews. At a minimum, have someone else check your resume for logic, grammar, spelling, and punctuation.

If all this is too much, consider paying someone to write your resume. Resume writing is a bit of an art, and it can be a good idea to simply compile all of your information and hand it off to a professional resume writing service.

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Top 5 Tips to Get a Job Next Week

1.    Cover Letter
You MUST have one. It must be professionally written and reinforce your experience and value proposition to the hiring company. It needs to be to the point and precise. In today’s market your cover letter is what will either get your resume additional consideration or the fast track to the “Do Not Call” list. The cover letter is you being able to speak to the potential employer and tell them why they should hire you versus your competition. Not having a cover letter or a less than perfect cover letter will put you at a distinct disadvantage in today’s job market.

2.    Resume
Is you resume up to date, is it correctly and consistently formatted, does it have key points? Most of all is the spelling correct and the punctuation? Are you reviewing your own resume? If so, have a friend or family member conduct a “Resume Stress Test” for errors and areas for improvement. Ideally, have a professional resume writer create for you a resume from your career experience. With the vast amount of resumes being submitted for open positions, yours has to be outstanding! Get professional help from a resume writer. Recruiters will only give about 10 seconds to scan your resume; do your key points stand out, does it call attention to the main points of what you can do for the company? Does it have the proper structure to keep the attention of the recruiter?

3.    Preparation
The first step as in anything is to be prepared, just like preparing for an exam. Also, consider the following questions to focus your preparation; What jobs are you looking for? Do you know where to search and find the job that you want? Once you decided the direction you are going, have you studied the companies that lead in that industry? Don�t do just a Google search; you need to be well prepared and ready. For example, if it’s a retail company, visit a few of their stores, observe the customers, and even strike up a few conversations. Talk to existing employees–ask them what it’s like working there. Become familiar with the history of the company. Who started it? Where? Who runs it now? Be creative, and do whatever you believe the other candidates don’t have the guts to do.

4.    Network
Companies tend nowadays to rely heavily on employee referrals. Make a list of all of your friends, relatives, and acquaintances. Call each one and ask them if they know of any openings that they could recommend you for. Be prepared to send them an expertly prepared resume. Do not be too humble, tell them what you are looking for, but let them know that you’re flexible and that if they have any suggestions, you’re open to them. A referral name can often open the door and allow you to step in and get a job before it is advertised.

5.    Prepare for the Interview
You need to be ready to give solid answers to interviewer questions when asked. Candidates should begin interview preparation well before an interview is scheduled just take a list of 20 common interview questions and start preparing responses. Then practice with a friend you as the candidate and them as the interviewer. Record your mock interview and improve your responses. Don’t wait to start this preparation! Job seekers can complete interview preparation within 2-weeks for those 20 basic interview questions. Now with interview preparation complete, candidates should be confident and be able to control an interview. Continue with general interview preparation until a real interview is scheduled then just focus preparation on the specific job opportunity and company.

Follow these five steps and you’ll accelerate your job search. You’ll quickly find work even in the worst economy in the last 25 years.

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Resume Writing Tips

A resume is a tool to present and effectively sell a person’s most relevant and positive credentials for employment. It is a document to market your personality, accomplishments, and experiences to a company. An effective resume gets you an interview that is why it must be properly organized and developed in an appropriate format to entice hiring personnel to invite you for an interview.

Below are 10 effective resume writing tips to help you generate interview offers:

1. Use job titles and headings that relate to the job you desire. Determine your career accomplishments prior to writing the resume. You can easily organize and structure the content of your resume when you already have a specific accomplishments at hand. Writing a resume with no clear purpose in mind will leave your resume vague and unfocused.
2. Make sure your resume is easy to read. Construct your resume to read easily. Remember that hiring companies have a lot of resumes to review, so create one that helps the reader scan your resume efficiently and effectively. Type your resume using a standard font type, such as Arial and Times New Roman.
3. Use a design that grabs attention. In order for you to entice a potential employer, your choice of resume design should also be taken into consideration. The first thing that employers notice when scanning resumes is its design and format. The design of your resume must direct attention at the same time showcase your skills and accomplishments. Also, do not use fancy design details as hiring personnel might not consider your resume. Make it formal but not boring. The resume must also be error free with consistent formatting.
4. Create powerful content that sellsWhat really matters for potential employers is the substance and depth of your resume. The design grabs attention, but powerful content, which quantifies your achievements, can generate more interviews.
5. Organize the content of your resume. Put the most important information first. Prioritize data according to their importance, impressiveness, and relevance to the job you are applying for.
6. Analyze job ads to identify top skills that potential employers need. Review job ads in order to match the needs of the hiring company. Read the company description and use keywords listed in employment ads. Remember that the job description is the key element in making an effective resume. A tailored resume for a specific position can definitely increase your chances of getting interviewed.
7. Highlight and sell the benefits of your skills and accomplishments. Showcase the benefits of your strengths to potential employer. Determine which skills support your career accomplishments. Back up your qualities and accomplishments with real work experiences. That way, hiring personnel will be hooked and not be bored with the list of skills and qualities you provide.
8. Have someone else review your resume. Get an outside expert opinion on your resume before you send it to potential employers. You should always ask a third party to review and give comments because sometimes it is difficult for you to note all your accomplishments. You must encourage them to give feedback. Feedback will really help you discover things you inadvertently missed in your resume.
9. Use power or action words to make your resume stand out. Power words can add life and cause your resume to stand out. Action words that relate to the level of position you desired.
10. Consider getting professional help. Not all of us are expert resume writers and do not know how to organize resume content. You have the data but we know how to put it together to create a winning resume. You lack the knowledge to determine what information is relevant and essential. If you are having a hard time creating your resume or you are not getting interviews; you could consider seeking a professional resume writing service. There are both local and online options available, and the investment is almost always worth the money.

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Interview Tips

Job interviewing is a critical part of an individual’s job search. This is the time to sell your skills and experiences. It is critically important to practice prior to your interviews. Job seekers only get one chance during an interview. A job hunting Best Practice is to practice interviewing with a friend or career coach. This will help you prepare properly and get you focused on winning the interview for that perfect job.
1. Research the company before the interview.
You should be familiar with the company you are applying to. Review company profile, annual reports, mission, vision, and other relevant information that the interviewer might ask.
2. Practice with some common questions and answers.
Prepare and rehearse responses to frequently asked questions during interviews. Practice in front a mirror or with an audience such as your friends, family members or ideally an expert. They can provide feedback of what to do and not to do during interviews.
3. Respect the time of your interviewer.
Time is gold in every business or institution because everyone is busy with their respective duties. Arrive at least 15 minutes early. This way you will have time to relax and not look stressed before the interview as well as not waste the interviewer’s time.
4. Display confidence in your behavior and the way you communicate.
The interviewer can easily perceive if you are confident through your posture, dress, walk, energy, and eye contact. Greet the employer with a firm handshake. Let the interviewer start the dialogue and listen carefully. Always welcome questions with a smile. Before answering the question, think and develop answers in your head. Ask the interviewer to restate a question if you are confused. Most importantly, give honest and direct answers.
5. Demonstrate positive statements and attitude.
Smile, be polite, and try to relax during the interview. The attitudes that you express must express that you are willing to work. You must also exhibit willingness to expand your knowledge. You must remember that employers like to hear your plan for future development and commitment to learning.
6. If you have worked before, talk about what you have learned from it.
Review your previous work experience. Be ready to support past career accomplishments with specific information targeted toward the company�s needs.
7. Encourage the interviewer to share details about the company information.
Demonstrate your interest by encouraging the interviewer to share information about the company. This way the interviewer will appreciate your interest to the company and your willingness to be a part of their team.
8. Bring extra information such as a Personal Data Sheet or Work Portfolio.
An attractive personal data sheet or work portfolio provides additional information that your prospective employer might want to hold on to for future references.
9. End the interview positively.
The end of the interview is the time to let the prospective employer know if you are interested in the job or not. A positive end to the interview is a way of ensuring your success. At this time restate your strengths and accomplishments that you have emphasized during the interview. Express also your appreciation for the interviewer’s time.
10. Review and evaluate your interviews strengths and weaknesses following your interview.
Evaluating your strengths and weaknesses immediately after the interview. If you do not get the job consider asking the interviewer what you did well and in what areas you will need improvement.