You think that after all the time, effort, sweat equity and frustration you put into the preparation of your résumé, it will be received with open arms by the person or company representative you took the time to send it to.  You picture the “target” individual opening up the email or envelope with anticipation, and their eyes opening wide, impressed beyond belief as they take their first look at the result of your efforts.  You imagine them immediately putting your résumé first and foremost above other résumés, requirements and appointments. You see them spending valuable time reading and taking in each word of your objective, career history, and personal accomplishments; virtually marveling over the vast background of your history and career achievements.  For hours after you submit your life on paper you bounce around with a renewed enthusiasm for the job search.  You know for certain that within a day or so, you will receive a personal call for an interview, at which time you will jump for joy and spread the news that you are well on your way to snagging that job with “XYZ Company”. 

 

If you are lucky, you won’t have to suffer the same disappointment as the other hundreds of job seekers who thought the same thing.  After not hearing anything back from the “target” for a few days, or even weeks you start to wonder if they received your résumé presentation.  Then you call, or follow-up only to be told that it was received and is scheduled to be reviewed; or worse, that they will get back to you.                            

Ouch!

 

Instead of beating yourself up at this point and falling into the pit of despair, it may be a good idea to hear from someone who cares that it isn’t “you”.                    

 

Many companies and corporations of all sizes employ human resource representatives, administrative assistants, secretaries, and other professional assistants to help them manage the multitudes of information and tasks that must be accomplished.  Screening résumés will often fall into this category.  Even when your résumé is addressed to a particular individual, it may fall in the hands of an employ tasked with identifying specific points of interest as dictated by the hiring authority.      

 

If an employer places an ad for a job opening, or just has career information on their website; imagine how many other job seekers submit their résumé just like you.  Then imagine how that appointed representative may have to review hundreds of résumés a week.  Screening a résumé is an art, perfected by those who are charged with reviewing massive amounts of paperwork.  The seasoned professional will tell you that if the résumé doesn’t portray the information they seek in the top third of the page, it probably will not make it to the next phase of the process.   

 

 

Your résumé is just a tool for weeding out job seekers.

Competition for finding placement in the world of communications and media is at an all time high.  As technology continues to evolve and the application of design and marketing elements becomes more creative, so must the new entrepreneur in making a first impression. 

One of the most valuable resources available to job seekers of today may be passed over, or even ignored – a Professional Portfolio Presentation.  Typically, a portfolio is a term that many of us place hand in hand with a professional who has 20 or more years of experience in a particular career field, and we do not consider ourselves worthy of flaunting our accomplishments with such a bold statement. However, consider that even your smallest personal accomplishments are the contents that your professional portfolio is built upon. A professional portfolio is the culmination of every milestone and accomplishment in your adult life, as pertains to your career field.

If hundreds of other job seekers competing for the same position submit their résumé; only a few will make it to the interview. If of those few, only a couple report to the interview armed with a professional portfolio, who do you think will make the greatest impact on the selection board?  Knowledge is power, and what you need to know; is that taking the time to develop a professional portfolio and keep it updated will be the cornerstone to your personal success in the career field of your choice.  

Your portfolio is the first opportunity you have to publish yourself; it will indicate your value, portray your experience, and serves as a creative asset to intrigue prospective employers and leave a lasting impression. If well designed, the portfolio will be the most refreshing part of the interview process to panel members.  When you prepare your presentation, don’t be afraid to be creative.  Most people are visual and the use of color copies, with bold and exciting presentation techniques will provoke the interest of readers, and display your creative talents. The opportunities for expressing yourself are endless. If you find yourself at a loss for creative ideas when getting started, research some of the professional scrap book designer references for ideas.  In the field of communicating via media, a well designed portfolio and a web presentation of your credentials will indicate your passion for advancement and growth, and most importantly, demonstrate your creative talent. With a great design, a visually appealing portfolio will continue to sell you and your value when you are not there!         

When you submit your resume to a prospective employer, mention in the cover letter that your portfolio is available upon request.  The combination of a resume and professional portfolio will serve to prioritize your placement in the line of potential candidates.    Once you have your portfolio prepared you will carry it with you to interviews, and have it readily available on a daily basis. Be sure to have either an automated version or a professionally prepared paper copy of your traditional portfolio that you can leave with the employer; never leave your original presentation behind.    

Networking opportunities come along when unexpected, and it doesn’t hurt to be prepared if you find an opportunity to market your talent and you are asked for more information. Having additional copies of your credentials readily available will be impressive to curious talent scouts. If you are specializing in communications or a media related career field; an automated version of your portfolio or an online portfolio presentation is the most effective way to portray your talent and skills in web design or marketing strategies.  

You should not wait to put a portfolio together until you have 5, 10, or even 20 years of experience.  Start to build your portfolio now, and watch it grow along with you as you progress in your career field. 

If you need more guidance on how to prepare your personal portfolio presentation, contact Lisa Parker, CPRW at www.parkercprw.com.

You want to get the interview, you want to get the job, you want to have the least amount of delay in an unemployed status. A Certified Professional Résumé Writer (CPRW) can help you reach your career goals.  

A CPRW will know exactly how to portray your skills to a prospective employer on paper. When your final presentation is complete, you may wonder why it took you so long to seek the services of a professional in the first place.  

Job seekers that have had a Certified Professional Résumé Writer (CPRW) help them with their résumé presentation will be happy to speak with you about their success in getting to the interview.   

If you want to learn more about the services that a Certified Professional Résumé Writer can provide, contact the Professional Association of Résumé Writers and Career Coaches (PARW).  As the industry standard and original certification program for Professional Résumé Writers, they can verify the credentials of a writer claiming to be a CPRW, and help you locate a professional résumé writer in your local area.  

For immediate assistance on your résumé needs, contact Lisa Parker, CPRW at Parker-CPRW, www.parkercprw.com.     

If you decide to conduct your job search with little or no assistance from the professional services available to you, valuable time may be lost in your transition from military service to the civilian job market.

You don’t have to seek the services of a Certified Professional Résumé Writer, a Career Coach, or even a job placement service.  However, just as you were a professional in the occupational skill you held in the military, they are the professionals that monitor the changes in today’s labor market.  These professionals know the strategies of incorporating your skills into a Résumé Presentation that works; what job placement centers are looking for; what the employer looks for; and how to best portray your value to a prospective employer.  

For information on how to contact a Certified Professional Résumé Writer (CPRW) in your area, you can visit the Professional Association of Résumé Writers and Career Coaches (PARW) at www.parw.com.  You can also verify a résumé writer’s credentials at PARW.  

If you need immediate assistance on how to prepare a résumé that will get the results you are seeking, you can visit Parker-CPRW at www.parkercprw.com to work with a CPRW, and a retired service member who understands the challenges you are currently facing in your transition.   

While you were serving your country, the civilian career market moved on.  Not only that, the strategies used by job seekers changed dramatically.  Chances are, the last time you had to go look for a job; you went door to door, ended up with an on the spot interview, and went to work almost immediately. 

When was the last time you actually had to write a  résumé?  

Most companies use an online service to screen a résumé in today’s labor market.  There are pros and cons to this for the job seeker.  It is quicker, easier, and a whole lot faster to get your resume out there; but the competition can be astounding.  In addition, a lot of job seekers who have been “out of the net” don’t know the best strategy to use when they are faced with this task.  After hundreds of résumé submittals with little or no results, the first thing you face after a stable career in the service is feeling inadequate, unworthy, depressed, and pressured as the bills roll in, and there is no hope in this job market. You know you have skills, you know you are a good prospect for a potential employer, yet no response to your efforts (résumé).    

Relax, there really is help out there.  Although you can learn by trial and error about what works today on your own (months may go by without one response to your efforts), I recommend you seek the help of a Certified Professional Résumé Writer (CPRW) as soon as possible to make your transition smoother. The information provided to service members during the Transition Assistance Program (TAP) is valuable, accurate and is designed to tell you what you should incorporate into your military transition résumé. However, the information doesn’t tell you how to format the information in a way that will get you the results you are seeking. 

Certified Professional Résumé Writers, certified by the Professional Association of Résumé Writers and Career Coaches work hand in hand with the Department of Labor, who in turn work with the National Veteran Training Institute and with the Department of Veteran Affairs to design the content of the Transition Assistance Program Brief (TAP).  These Professional Résumé Writers can be found everywhere!  They are located in your Army Career and Alumni Program (ACAP) offices, the Department of Labor, and in your local community. Through the agencies, the services are free.   

These professionals will help you present your information in a way that will get you results in your job search efforts. If you would rather seek the individual services of one of these professionals, you can verify their credentials and find a CPRW in your local area through the PARW website at www.parw.com.

You can also visit Parker-CPRW, at www.parkercprw.com for more information.  Ms. Parker is a not only a Certified Professional Résumé Writer (CPRW), but is also a retired service member who understands the challenges you are facing in your transition.  Don’t waste your valuable time and resources trying to understand exactly what will work in today’s labor market. Seeking the services of a professional will save you and your family time, money, and the frustration of stepping out on your own in this transition.      

 

Visit http://www.parkercprw.com

 

              

 

              

    

          

   

       

   

    

    

 

 

 

To succeed in reaching your career goals, the first thing you need is a value based resume presentation, prepared by a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW).  The start of a successful career search is a resume that will accurately portray you value and help you get to the interview.

A Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) maintains current relationships with human resource personnel and employers to identify exactly what labor market trends the job seeker of today may have to compete with.  Your future depends on how well prepared you are to enter the labor market.      

If you are unsure which way to turn as you research all of the on line resume services, just contact a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW).  You can verify a resume writer’s credentials by visiting the Professional Association of Resume Writers and Career Coaches (PARW-CC), at www.parw.com.    

For immediate assistance on your specific resume or career development needs, contact Ms. Parker at Parker-CPRW, www.parkercprw.com.     

Visit ParkerCPRW.com

If you are tired of surfing the net for a professional resume writer, why don’t you contact Ms. Parker at www.parkercprw.com to have your resume prepared?  You will be able to speak one-on-one with Ms. Parker about your specific resume needs; and your resume will not be sent to an unknown resume writer.  As a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW), and a member of the Professional Association of Resume Writers and Career Coaches (PARW), Lisa Parker, CPRW will provide you a professional prepared, value based resume presentation that will help get you to the interview you have been waiting for. 

Ms. Parker has an extensive background in career development, working with individuals from a variety of career fields.  As an Entry Level, Professional, or an Executive seeking a professional presentation; you deserve the service and results that a Professional Resume Writer can provide.    

Visit http://www.parkercprw.com

Tune in to Army Wife Talk Radio to hear Lisa Parker discuss the value of a professional resume presentation.  Army Wife Talk Radio provides listeners, and their family members insight on the challenges faced as they go through life with a military service member. 

Each week, Monday at 8pm, you can tune in at www.armywifetalkradio.com and be an active participant on the radio show.  Listen in and comment on the current topic, or submit a question that you would like addressed on the show.  On 1 December 2008, Lisa Parker, a Certified Professional Resume Writer and owner of Parker-CPRW will be a guest speaker. 

If you would like to know more about the value of a professional resume presentation, whether you are an entry level, professional, executive, or other job seeker; you can visit www.parkercprw.com for more information.

If you need a resume that gets results, gets you the interview and a chance to prove to the employer that you are the employee they have been looking for – well, look no more.  As a Certified Professional Resume Writer, my goal is to write a resume that will help you reach your career objectives.  Of course you can always write a good resume yourself, or utilize one of the many resume writing programs available today.  However, you should carefully consider how many other job seekers do the same.  Why would you want to look like all of the other job seekers on paper?  The goal is to have a presentation that will put you on the top of the pile during the screening phase as the employer compares resumes. Visit parkercprw.com for more information on professional resume writing.  Your life, your future, your choice. Contact me for a consultation on your specific needs so we can get you on the path to success in reaching your career goals!

Visit www.parkercprw.com

What a great asset for Army Wives!  Of course, wives of all branches of service listen to the Army Wife Talk Radio Show.  There is something for everyone on this exciting program, to include the latest news on what’s happening in your area. What a great opportunity to share your personal and family life, day to day experiences with other spouses. Each Monday, 8pm, you can listen to Star and Tara interview special guests, and talk about new and exciting information they have learned and are determined to share with their listeners.  This is an interactive program where every one can participate, to include service members, family members, and of course spouses!  You can even call in and ask questions of your own. Visit the site at armywifetalkradio.com for more information on upcoming events, and links to things all service members will find interesting.  For a special treat, and a bit of inside information, listen in on 1 DEC 2008, at 8pm and hear the live interview with Lisa Parker, a Certified Professional Resume Writer, owner of Parker-CPRW, Professional Resume Presentations.  You may just learn how you can write a great resume!

After retiring from the US Army, I spent the better part of two years trying to decide what I was going to do with myself next.  I kept saying to those who asked me, that I was going to find a mindless job.  One where I could let the others do the thinking for once, and just coast through the rest of my working years.  Well, that didn’t last for long. 

Shortly after my retirement, I found myself working as a Disabled Veteran Outreach Program (DVOP) Specialist for the Department of Labor.  This position provided a great opportunity to continue working with soldiers and veterans of all ages.  I became a regular student at the National Veterans Training Institute located in Denver, Colorado; where I learned to facilitate the same Transition Assistance Program (TAP) brief to service members that I had just recently received myself.  I had often wondered how those instructors acquired those positions as I attended that mandatory briefing. 

Always up for another challenge, I was offered an opportunity to obtain my certification as a Certified Professional Résumé Writer (CPRW).  Known throughout my military career as having a knack for putting words on paper, I didn’t blink twice as I jumped at the chance to be recognized among the other professional résumé writers I admired.  I completed the program developed by the Professional Association of Résumé Writers, and reached another personal goal by obtaining the CPRW Certification. 

It was shortly thereafter that I realized how much I truly enjoyed writing résumés for my clients.  I found much joy in being able to help others finally reach their career objectives, and have a positive impact on their life.  My reward was nothing more than the smile on their face when they came back to brag about landing the job they were seeking, and feeling that I was a cornerstone to their success.  Wouldn’t it be great if I could do that for people all of the time?                                  

I think I finally figured out what to do with myself.  With the unwavering support of my family, friends, co-workers and colleagues, I decided to start my own business.  One where I could do what I enjoyed so much, and one where I could spend as much time as I wanted assisting a specific client.  I decided I wanted to write Professional Résumé Presentations on a full time basis.    

After a few months of researching exactly how to start my own business, I took all of the steps (and not necessarily in the right order) to open up shop as Parker-CPRW.  The trials and tribulations have been worth all of the trouble.  Now that I have joined the Chamber of Commerce, published my brochures and business cards, launched the website, and started the marketing phase I can see the last few months of preparation paying off.  The fruits of my efforts really are coming together.  In fact, I have already been scheduled to provide services and support the annual Veteran and Homeless Stand Down in Savannah, GA; as well as a few other local events.           

In closing, I don’t think I would have made it this far if it were not for the valuable resources available in our network.  Special thanks go out to Frank Fox, at PARW-CC for taking his valuable time to speak with me and answer questions on a regular basis.  His guidance and positive support really did keep me going through the phase where I thought that maybe I was not ready to take this particular challenge on.  I have decided at this point that I would just have to say to anyone, “you can do it”!  It really does help to have a network of professionals promoting our success, and readily available to support us in this career field. 

Funny how when we are acutally working and bringing in that regular paycheck, that we never think about our most precious job search tool - our résumé.   While you are gainfully employed is the best time to dust off your credentials, keep them handy and always up to date.  Most significant job offers come along when you don’t really need them, so what better time than now to keep up with your personal portfolio?  If you don’t have the time to update your  résumé now, you certainly won’t have the time if you find yourself unexpectedly unemployed!  Don’t wait until you have no choice, make the decision today to get your résumé up to date.  Your life, your family, your future depends on how ready you are in the event bad news brings a change to your career field. Unemployment is not something any of us look forward to, however you can be one step ahead of the rest of the job seekers in the event that happens to you.  If you would like get your portfolio up to date, visit parkercprw.com for guidance and resume writing resources.        

Funny how when we are acutally working and bringing in that regular paycheck, that we never think about our most precious job search tool - our résumé.   While you are gainfully employed is the best time to dust off your credentials, keep them handy and always up to date.  Most significant job offers come along when you don’t really need them, so what better time than now to keep up with your portfolio?  If you don’t have the time to update your  résumé now, you certainly won’t have the time if you find yourself unexpectedly unemployed!  Don’t wait until you have no choice, make the decision today to get your résumé up to date.  If you need assistance, visit www.parkercprw.com for guidance and resume writing resources.        

If you haven’t portrayed your value to the employer in the top third of your résumé, then you probably won’t get the interview.  A typical résumé may receive about 10-20 seconds of the reviewer’s time, and we don’t even have to talk about the second page.  Don’t put your life in the hands of the resume screener! 

To make sure your résumé has an impact and gets the results you are looking for, you must tell the employer that you are exactly what they are looking for right up front.  If you haven’t dusted off your old presentation, if may be a good idea to contact a professional who is up to date on what the employer of today is looking for!

An effective résumé presentation will get you noticed, and may lead the most important step in your job search, the interview.  A Certified Professional Résumé Writer can help you stand out above the competition.  Don’t waste valuable time trying to come up with the right presentation on your own!  You need to be ready to attend the interview today, to reach your personal and professional career goals in the future. Visit parkercprw.com for more information on how to create your professional resume. I am a Certified Professional Resume Writer, and my goal is to help your succeed.

Visit www.parkercprw.com for more information on how I can help you reach your career goals.

The most valuable service I provide to job seekers is to help them take charge of their own destiny in the corporate world.  True empowerment comes with being fully educated on the technologically that drives the job search in today’s labor market.

How often have you heard this statement when reading guidance or talking about writing your Résumé:

‘There is no one size fits all’? Ever wonder what people are talking about?  That phrase starts to make much more sense when used in conjunction with discussions about ATS or Applicant Tracking Systems (also referred to as talent management systems).  What some may not realize, is that this phrase (no one size fits all) does not apply to the traditional version of the résumé.

However, it totally applies to the version you use to apply for job opportunities online. Let me introduce you to the Online – ATS Compatible Résumé (ACR), or the document you use to tackle online applications. The ACR is a living breathing document. You must tailor it to fit each job announcement, and it must be revised often to fit each job announcement, especially if you want the computer program (talent management system) or ATS system software to convey that you are the exact candidate the employer is looking for.  These computer systems analyze your information based on specific parameters (the job announcement or duty description) as defined by employers and HR reps. No two job announcements are written the same – thus the reason you must modify your content to score high during the screening process and gain recognition through these systems.

The traditional résumé serves as nothing more than a snapshot of your career history. If prepared correctly, only minor updates are needed as you progress in your career. You cannot possibly capture everything you ever accomplished in a 30 year career in just one or two pages, right?

Have you ever wondered why when you apply on line, the program directs you to “cut and paste your résumé here, oh, and by the way, attach your word document here”?  Quite simply, this represents two different processes. Unless the content of what you cut and paste into the program can be properly parsed and interpreted by the computer program, the pretty traditional version of your résumé will never be viewed by the hiring official. And, if there is only one option – “upload your résumé here”, stick with your properly formatted ACR Version of the résumé. Then, present your visually appealing snapshot or traditional résumé when contacted for the interview.

There is much more you need to know about the challenges associated with an online based job search. Ever wonder why you receive little or no response from submitting your résumé hundreds of times through online forums?

If you have not properly formatted your ACR, and rely strictly on changing up the content of your résumé to an ASCII or plain text format with no modification to the presentation and formatting of content – a large majority of your information may be lost during the screening process.

Want to learn more?  Reach out to me at Parker-CPRW to learn how you truly can conduct a successful, productive, rewarding job search in today’s labor market!

Lisa Parker, CPRW, CEIP

The typical talent management or applicant tracking system (ATS) is designed to look for standard subject headings followed by supporting information. On the traditional résumé or pretty version of the résumé, you can use just about any creative subheading you like (Professional Profile, Objective, Core Competencies, Key Attributes, Professional Affiliations, Community, or Awards). Warning: if you use these same creative subject headings on the résumé you submit through an ATS system, the program may not be able to recognize or interpret the entry and will skip over the section completely! Imagine how much valuable information will be lost during the screening process.

Most online application programs direct the candidate to “cut and paste your résumé here.”  Oh, and by the way, “upload your résumé here.” The first thought any job seeker has, is “Why do I have to do this twice?”  The red flag is up and waiving, but most people just move on through the process and try not to think about the real reason.  They go ahead and cut and paste the information from their word document (the résumé), wondering why they are wasting valuable time, but know they have to do it to finish the application.  The answer is quite simple – two different processes.

Understand that the traditional résumé (the pretty-pretty version used for networking, interviews, and job fairs) only serves as a snapshot of your experience (the reason it becomes challenging to document a career that may span over 25 years). The traditional version of your résumé can rarely be used to tackle the online job search effectively due to a variety of reasons (formatting and content presentation). If you cannot make it through the online application program or Applicant Tracking System (ATS), the traditional or pretty version of the résumé serves little or no purpose.

The Online Application Process

Do these questions or comments sound familiar to you?

 How do I capture 25 years of experience in just two pages?

Why do I never seem to get a response to my online applications?

Why did the employer say I was under qualified?  I have 15 years of experience!

They must be crazy – I bet they did not even read my résumé.

How do I know what the employer sees?

What am I doing wrong?

Can you help me?

If I can just get to the interview, I could explain……

Of course, you have (over and over again – even hundreds of times).  Here is another thought for you to ponder:  Most online applications direct the candidate to “cut and paste your résumé here.”  Oh, and by the way, “upload your résumé here.” The first thought any job seeker has, is “Why do I have to do this twice?”  The red flag is up and waiving, but most people just move on through the process and try not to think about the real reason.  They go ahead and cut and paste the information from their word document (the résumé), wondering why they are wasting valuable time, but know they have to do it to finish the application.  The answer is quite simple – two different processes.

When you apply for a job online, you are sending your information through a Talent Management or Applicant Tracking System; commonly referred to as the online application program or ATS System. This is an automated program designed to track applicants (hundreds and thousands).  The ATS System manages data and screens the résumé of online applicants – or the information that they cut and paste into the program. The system parses or interprets the candidates information, summarizes the years of experience in a particular concept (or key word) based on the job announcement criteria.  If the candidate scores high enough, the application is “flagged” for a person (HR Representative, Recruiter, or Hiring Authority) to review. This “person” receives a Qualification Summary, or a computer generated report that has parsed and interpreted the data and outlines credit for experience based on the applicant’s skill set.  Then, this “person” will print out the “traditional résumé or word document to get an idea of how this person presents his or her self on paper.  Does that make any sense?

There has been little if any guidance provided to the general population on exactly how these systems are programmed to interpret the data they receive, yet you should know there is a distinct difference in formatting requirements, for the online-version of the résumé vs. the traditional résumé presentation.

Yes, if you want to present a visually appealing résumé commensurate with the competition, and still tackle the online application process successfully, you must have two completely different versions of your information compiled.

Understand that the traditional résumé (the pretty-pretty version used for networking, interviews, and job fairs) only serves as a snapshot of your experience (the reason it becomes challenging to document a career that may span over 25 years). The traditional version of your résumé can rarely be used to tackle the online job search effectively due to a variety of reasons (formatting and content presentation) and if you cannot make it through the online ATS system, the traditional or pretty version serves no purpose.

By understanding how the typical ATS system parses, interprets, and quantifies your skill set, you will be empowered to pursue every opportunity and finally, receive invitations to the interview.

To get ready for the online application process, prepare to “talk” to the computer system. Capture and copy all of the data from your traditional or pretty version of the résumé. Remove all formatting (graphics, text boxes, creative fonts, etc.) and save in a simple word document, one inch margins all around, using a simple font (times roman, arial, tahoma, or courier).  Save as a simple Word 2003 document (.doc) or as a plain text document (.txt) that opens in notepad.

Properly Format Your Information

The most important thing to understand is that the basic programing of talent management or applicant tracking systems is fairly standard throughout the industry.  The systems are designed to parse and search for specific data. Additionally, the space allocated for candidates to portray their skill set is not unlimited, but certainly does provide a great deal more room to incorporate a skill set; unlike the standard one or two page résumé!

The typical ATS System is designed to look for standard subject headings followed by supporting information:

Contact Info | Summary or Objective | Experience | Education | Publications | Certifications

Note: On the traditional or pretty version of the résumé, you can use any subheading you like (Professional Profile, Objective, Core Competencies, Key Attributes, Professional Affiliations, Community, or Awards), but if you use these headers on the document you submit through an ATS system, the program will not be able to recognize or interpret the entry and will skip over the section completely!

Contact Info:  ATS Systems will find it difficult to interpret a P.O. Box as an address.  Most ATS systems will not locate or interpret an address posted as a P.O. Box, therefore the information will reflect on the employer’s end as “missing”.  If possible, always strive to use a street address.

Summary or Objective: If you must include a professional profile, call it a “Summary” or “Objective”.  Remember that the ATS System will not give credit (years of experience) for any key words, or quantify the data found in a summary statement.

Note:  If you want the ATS System or computer to give credit, or quantify content commonly placed under subheadings such as Summary, Professional Profile, Objective, Core Competencies, Key Attributes, Professional Affiliations, Community, or Awards, incorporate this information under a period of employment – somewhere in the presentation!

Experience: An ATS System will search for the company name, the job title, and the dates of employment. Some ATS programs will not interpret or parse for the location, even though we use that as a standard for employer entries. To help the system identify an employer, or to be sure that the system correctly identifies an employer, you can trick the system into reading the employer name by following it with LLC, Inc., Corp, or Company. In other words, some systems may not interpret an employer such as “Department of Defense” properly.  Using a period at the end of the employer description helps the system move on in parsing the document. If you use any other dates in the duty description or responsibilities, the system may interpret that as a “break” and start another period of employment.

Education: List the degree, list the major, list the university, list the date completed, and end each entry with a period.

Certifications: Start with the word Certified, Certificate, or Certification; state the concept, state where obtained, list the year received, end each entry with a period [Certified Electrician, Department of Education, 2012.].

How to Quantify Years of Experience for the ATS Qualification Summary

The qualification summary (years of experience in a particular concept) is generated based on the use of a key word or phrase under a specific period of employment.  The ATS system looks for key words or phrases that mirror content found in a particular job announcement (remember hearing how the résumé must change for each job, there is no one size fits all……). When the system identifies a key word or concept listed under a period of employment, the system calculates the number of years a candidate held that position and provides credit for years of experience in that concept.  Just because the ATS System identifies a key word under one employer, programming will not allow the system to “assume” that the applicant worked with that concept for their entire career! If you list a concept such as “Microsoft Word” or “accounting” only once under a two-year period of employment, you will only gain credit for two years in experience. If you make sure to repeat the key word under each period of employment, you will help the computer program properly quantify your level of experience.

A good example (although not the best) would be a candidate that worked construction for two years in one company right out of high school, while obtaining a degree (say using the key word welding). This same candidate obtained a degree in nursing and worked for the last eight years in one company providing “patient care”.  When the information is parsed and interpreted by the computer system, the candidate’s qualification summary will reflect “welding – two years” and “patient care – eight years”. This process does start to make some sense, as the computer programs do exactly what they are told to do when designed and/or programmed – they manage talent.

For candidates that have spent 30 years in one job, the task of presenting a skill set is very easy. For each key word mentioned in this “one job” scenario, the qualification summary will provide credit for 30 years of experience.  The traditional résumé is a snapshot of a candidate’s background. We cannot possible portray every accomplishment over a 30 year career, in just one or two pages.  Nor can we repeat each key word or concept spanning a 30 year career, with a work history compiled of sporadic jobs that lasted two to five years each, and still remain within the widely accepted parameters of two pages for the traditional résumé.

Once you master the concepts behind the online application, be sure to redirect your efforts in developing well written version of your Traditional Résumé Presentation. The competition is tough and you may be quite surprised to find, that employers are intrigued to locate a visually appealing, exciting, and dynamic presentation to review in the bottomless stack of applicants!

Essentially – It’s All About the Strategy……….

Contact Lisa Parker, CPRW through the Professional Association of Résumé Writers and Career Coaches, or visit parkercprw.com to learn more about competing for opportunity in today’s labor market!

With over 23 years of experience promoting the personal and professional development of career minded individuals, Lisa Parker is a Certified Professional Résumé Writer (CPRW), Certified Employment Interview Professional (CEIP) and Active Member of The Professional Association of Résumé Writers and Career Coaches (PARW-CC).  You will find that Ms. Parker has a diverse background in assisting clients from a variety of career fields and professional backgrounds, and combined with her background as a Retired Service Member; a Disabled Veteran Outreach Program Specialist; Employment Service Representative for the Department of Labor and a Member of the PARW-CC Certification Committee; Ms. Parker can provide you with a wealth of experience in tackling your career goals.  Additionally, Ms. Parker participates with quite a few professional organizations, and volunteers to assist those seeking guidance through a variety of forums.  Browse a few of these when you find time!  

Résumé Questions         www.allexperts.com

Résumé Samples     http://workbloom.com/

Self Growth     http://www.selfgrowth.com/experts/lisa_parker_cprw_ceip.html

Women For Hire,  Career Coaching, Résumé Writer, Guest Speaker   www.womenforhire.com

Visit Parker-CPRW at http://www.parkercprw.com for more information on how a CPRW can prepare a Professional Résumé Presentation that will help you reach your career goals.

If you are not ready to contract a professional service provider, there are many resources available for the “do-it-yourself” jobseeker.  Visit  http://astore.amazon.com/pacp-20/002-0810780-3648811 and check out some of the most popular resource guides.   

Résumé Writer – Lisa Parker CPRW

Résumé Writer in Savannah

Résumé Service in Georgia

Résumé Service in Florida

In May 2010, the Georgia Department of Labor reported that over 57,000 initial unemployment claims were filed with Atlanta leading other state regions in claims; reporting just over 28,000.       

If you are a statistic of the 10.2% unemployed citizens in the state of Georgia, you know first-hand that the competition for placement in this labor market is tough.  Businesses have made cut backs in most every area, to include employees, and with minor spikes in supply and demand; employers are reluctant to return to previous staffing levels. 

This situation leaves job seekers desperate to find employment, as unemployment compensation benefits are limited.  Time is running out, and many job seekers find themselves faced with new trends in securing employment.  For the first time ever, many employers are asking for a résumé; and in some cases, doing this for positions that pay only minimum wage.  Additionally, many employers track job applicants through automated data management systems, and will only accept employment applications through online programs.   

The new strategies used by Human Resource Managers and employers to screen applicants may help them streamline the hiring process, but may also hinder their ability to hire the best candidate.  Many of the more seasoned professionals have spent the majority of their career in stable employment, and have not had the opportunity to keep up with advancements in technology that support these new processes, so many job seekers find themselves at a loss if they cannot get their foot in the door to speak with a representative.  The competition is tough, and it appears that those more familiar with automated assets have the advantage over those who lack the communication assets needed to apply for vacancies, even if they possess commendable experience or credentials. 

Well, the only choice is the one that most job seekers find brings on more stress than the lack of a steady paycheck – writing the résumé.  When a potential candidate has had the security of stable employment, and has not had to keep up with the strategies used to prepare a value-based, targeted résumé, they quickly find this task to be “challenging”. 

The standard approach usually consists of going back through the years and remembering the guidance received when first starting out on a career path. 

Gathering the contact information is easy; name, address, home phone, cell phone number, and e-mail address.  Next, most job seekers decide to include an objective statement; a requirement still promoted by some members of the academic community, and remembered as a “must include” by the average professional.  Finally, a chronological list of employers, responsibilities, education, and personal interests follows and the résumé begins to come to life. 

Armed with the basic requirement, the job seeker sets out to obtain employment, and quickly comes to realize that the new résumé does not seem to be producing the expected results.  Trying to identify exactly what may be the problem leads an already fear filled, desperate job seeker down a confusing path of information overload.  Once you have made the decision to seek help in developing your Professional Résumé Presentation, things tend to get even more interesting.    

The internet is filled with résumé help, and hundreds of service providers, but it can be overwhelming to decide which service is credible.  The pressure to make a decision when seeking immediate help can cloud the ability to use sound judgment, and being vulnerable makes it easy for unethical services to take advantage of a serious situation. 

By being an educated job seeker, you can avoid the anguish associated with finding a service provider that can help you address your career development needs.  Knowing where to start when seeking professional guidance is priceless.  The following information summarizes a few of the most valuable resources. 

The Professional Association of Résumé Writers and Career Coaches (PARW-CC) is the career development industry’s original certification organization for career development professionals, and résumé writers.  PARW-CC is contracted by the Department of Labor, and the Federal Government to provide certification for their career development and employment service specialists. 

Launched in 1990, PARW-CC is the industry standard and most reliable resource for identifying Certified Professional Résumé Writers (CPRW), Certified Employment Interview Professionals (CEIP), and Certified Professional Career Coaches (CPCC).  On the PARW Web site, you will find a list of credentialed career assistance professionals, making it easy for job seekers to locate legitimate service providers around the world.  The best thing about this resource is; that if a service provider is listed on the PARW Web site, you can be sure that they strive to uphold a strict Code of Ethics, maintain currency on trends in the résumé writing industry, and take their role in career development very seriously.  Trends in the labor market, and the things an employer will look for in a candidate change on a regular basis, and even though a service provider may have obtained one of the certification credentials previously; if they do not keep up with trends in the industry – how will you know the product they provide is up to date?  Visit PARW and check out the credentials of any service provider, prior to contracting them to work your project.      

 Georgia Department of Labor

Many career centers throughout the state provide résumé writing classes, and many of them have a Certified Professional Résumé Writer (CPRW) on staff that can assist job seekers as they prepare their most valuable marketing document.  They may not be able to write your résumé for you, but they can provide some valuable guidance as you try to promote your value as a potential candidate.  The career centers also maintain an extensive library, stocked with many of the most sought after résumé writing resources, and provide workstations where clients can use a computer to develop a simple résumé.  Additionally, these services are free.   Once you register with the Department of Labor, develop a viable résumé, and speak with an Employment Career Counselor, you will be well on your way to getting your foot in the door with a local employer. 

National Résumé Writers Association (NRWA)

This organization was launched in 1996, in order to keep up with the growing need for résumé writers and career development professionals, and was spearheaded by some of the professionals originally certified by PARW-CC.   As mentioned on their web site, with a mission to support the continued advancement and development of Professional Résumé Writers; NRWA developed a multi-step certification process for those seeking career development credentials, and takes pride in certifying some of the best résumé writers in the career development industry. 

The NRWA is actively involved in public education and awareness initiatives.  Through partnerships and alliances, NRWA is able to contribute not only to the career development industry, but also to those individuals seeking to advance in their professional careers.  One of their most notable partnerships is with Southworth Paper, the most recognized and prominent supplier of résumé writing paper, folders, envelops, and accessories for job seekers.  Included in each package of Southworth’s line of professional, watermarked résumé paper; you will find a résumé guide, complete with information about NRWA and the value of a properly written résumé presentation.

Consider this when contracting a Certified Career Development Professional; the cost is an investment in your future.  These professionals are experts in their career field, just as you are an expert in yours.  Pricing will vary in range, and prices are usually quoted based on the challenges your particular situation presents to the service provider, whether it be writing a Professional Résumé, or providing Career Development service. 

A Certified Professional or credentialed service provider can be expected to charge by the hour, or by the project.  Prices may range anywhere from $35-$90 per hour, or by the project from $185, well up into the thousands depending on the client’s professional background or career goal.  If you happen to locate a service provider who charges a very low or standard fee for various levels of the workforce, make sure that you conduct your research and carefully consider your decision to move forward in contracting the service.  This is one area where the old saying that “you get what you pay for” is very close to the truth.   

Ms. Parker is a Certified Professional Résumé Writer (CPRW), Certified Employment Interview Professional (CEIP), Retired Service Member, Member of the PARW-CC Certification / Credentialing Committee, and Owner/Operator of Parker-CPRW.

As a Certified Professional Résumé Writer (CPRW), owner of Parker-CPRW, and member of the PARW-CC Certification Committee, it is not often that I find an online resource that provides reliable information and resources for job seekers. 

I ran across a site that I find very refreshing, as the contributors are hand selected by the web site host, and in most cases are certified service providers.  In reviewing the contributions, it is apparent that the contributors make every effort to keep up with the trends in the labor market; as well as consider the needs of employers when guiding job seekers. 

Do yourself a favor if you are seeking reliable help in preparing your résumé, cover letter, or thinking about the next job hunt, and check out a service provider known as Workbloom.

When preparing a résumé, the use of bold print is one of those things in the back of your mind that you should incorporate.  Once all of the information has been gathered and typed into some sort of format, and the résumé is essentially complete, the first thing the average person does is go back and highlight items throughout the presentation in BOLD.

This event usually signals the light at the end of the tunnel, as the preparation process was absolutely, exhausting.  The gathering of information took days, and trying to come up with a format was equally tiring, when having so many choices.  Just having to consider all of the different approaches in résumé writing found out there on the Internet today can be intimidating.  Then, you have to complete the task of compiling (writing) your information in the “best style” ever, in ways that each of us has fantasized will “wow” the reviewer. 

Finally, after days or even weeks; the “Best Résumé Ever” is in the final stages of being ready to submit.  With glee and a final sense of accomplishment, the final touches are set in motion to define our creative flair. 

On average, the subject matter or things that people will use bold font on can be quite amusing.  Some presentations will have only the dates of employment in bold (2003-Present); others will have the candidate’s name and category headings in bold (Professional Experience or Education), though some will use capital letters to help make these headings stand out.  In some cases, the applicants address, phone number or even e-mail address is considered important information and call for bold accents.  On occasion, you will find the employer name and/or job title prominently displayed in bold highlights, and of course the high school or college degree and institution.

For just as many people you find out there preparing a résumé, you will find just as many variations in the use of bold print when adding the final touches.  What many people do not consider, is that there really is a strategy involved in using the bold print.  How you choose to use the bold print can portray quite a bit of information to the reviewer about your approach in life, or to getting the job done.  If your use of bold print seems hap hazardous, inconsistent, does not portray a theme, or employ a methodical approach; you may be sending the wrong message.  Notice how nothing in this paragraph  stands out?    

Consider the following perspective when you set out to send a message to the employer, and decide to use bold highlights in your résumé presentation. 

The purpose of bold font is to draw the eye to certain information, from the beginning of your résumé, right on down the first page and into the second.  The information portrayed in bold should be the information you want the reviewer to notice, and to remember.  When you consider that the typical résumé only receives 10-20 seconds of attention (some résumés receive even less), the use of bold print can be your best friend.  Did you find your eye drawn to this statement when you began reading this paragraph? 

Only the most valuable bits of information on a résumé should be portrayed in bold, and depending upon your career field or objective; this information will vary from one presentation to another. 
The first and most common strategy is to highlight your name.  You want to use an interesting font, and you want to portray personality through your name; in a way that the employer will remember the visual impact and associate your name with the position you are seeking. 

The next most important thing to highlight is your job title.  Most presentations today will list a job title right up front, and that should be the next thing the reviewer sees. The job title you choose to list should match the position you are applying for, and should be in bold.  This covers two important areas.  You have told the employer that you are exactly who they are looking for and stated your objective early on; and you have saved the employer valuable time, as they do not have to determine what your value is or what position you are seeking by reading through your information.  This small attribute will leave a positive impression on the reviewer, almost at the most sub-conscious level, but there nonetheless.   

This strategy can also be applied if you are using an objective statement or a profile narrative on your résumé.  Make sure that you are careful to incorporate a job title in your statement, and highlight the information.  Remember, that there is never a one size fits all résumé – you must design each résumé for the position you are currently seeking.  Along these same lines, make sure that you highlight the job titles you have held when you incorporate your employment history.  This strategy will draw the reviewer’s eye to your previous assignments; show progression in responsibilities and document advancement in your career field. 

So, at this point, we have made sure the employer knows who we are, what job we are seeking, and this information is now reinforced by highlighting the job titles previously held.  Great start!   In other words, the target employer could care less about the names of your previous employers.  If you choose to highlight the previous dates of employment, you are taking valuable review seconds away from other information in your presentation; not to mention drawing attention to the length of employment or any gaps in employment history you may have experienced.

The next strategy is to highlight a valuable contribution or accomplishment you have achieved in order to keep the eye moving, and prompt the reviewer to gather as much valuable information in the short period allotted as possible.  By applying the bold font to a portion of one or more statements further down in your résumé, you will accomplish this task.  For this strategy to be effective, the information you highlight needs to make a statement in itself.  Review the following statement to get an idea of how this works; this statement provides two different opportunities to use the bold print effectively.   

Negotiated a $10 million venture capital investment in XYZ Corporation which generated $1 billion in revenue over 15 years.  
              
Negotiated a $10 million venture capital investment in XYZ Corporation which generated $1 billion in revenue over 15 years.

Negotiated a $10 million venture capital investment in XYZ Corporation which generated $1 billion in revenue over 15 years.

Notice how the highlighted text makes a statement in itself and could stand alone?

Negotiated a $10 million venture capital investment.

Generated $1 billion in revenue over 15 years.

Be selective in the information you choose to highlight, and refrain from overkill.  Too much bold print can render the entire process just as ineffective as a bad strategy in choosing the wrong information to highlight.  As a general rule of thumb, the use of bold is most effective when used sparingly and when well spaced throughout the page. 

There is absolutely, nothing wrong with highlighting your education, degree, or special training that supports your objective.  This is especially true if the employer has determined that a particular degree or level of education is a condition of employment.  If this is the case, then you may want to incorporate the education information on the first page and draw the same attention to this qualification as you would your name and job title. 

As long as you follow the basic concept, you will be able to intrigue the reviewer with the information presented in your résumé, and effectively portray the potential, or value you will bring to the organization.  The competition is tough, and the little things that you use to promote yourself can go a long way.  Your strategic use of bold print will serve to draw the eye down the first page, and on into the second as the reviewer tries to absorb more important information as quick as possible!    

Lisa Parker, CPRW, CEIP

ParkerCPRW.com

Even though the job market seems to be getting better, the challenges in securing employment still seem to be about the same.   Competition for placement is high, and employers have a whole lot more resources at their disposal to use in finding the right candidate.   

If you just seem to be heading down the wrong road in your job search, you may benefit from the services offered through career development professionals at PARW-CC. 

Whether you need help from a Certified Professional Résumé Writer in preparing a strategic résumé, or help making it through a critical interview – you can find a service provider in your area through the Professional Association of Résumé Writers and Career Coaches.  Visit the PARW-CC web site at parw.com for more information on the types of career development services available to you.