Author: Greg Ryan

Hi! Welcome to my Blog. I like to use my experience as both a Certified Résumé Writer and administrator in charge of the candidate selection and interview process for my department to share helpful tips that I have picked up along the way. This blog will be updated frequently. I hope you enjoy it! Positive Testimonials and remembering to “Like” my Facebook page are GREATLY appreciated.

Top 6 Ways to Know When and How to Use a Two-Page Resume

The old adage was always that resumes can only be one page. While there is still something to be said for optimizing space, sticking to one page is no longer considered a necessity. This is especially true when applying for high-level management and executive positions. The key is to know when and how to utilize a two-page resume. Here are the top 6 ways to accomplish this goal.

1. High-Interest Management Positions. If you are applying for a management position that you know will get hundreds of applicants, then you want to make sure that you are not short changing yourself. If an employer receives 200 applications, that means that 99.5% of applicants are going to be turned down. To be that 0.5% that is not turned down, you are doing yourself a disservice by leaving off large chunks of important information simply so that your resume fits on one page.

2. Numerous relevant sections. Sometimes it gets to the point when there just isn’t a shorter way to list all of your relevant training, certifications, education, professional development, associates, etc. Take the space to include them if they add to your potential value as well as your chances of getting an interview.

3. Highlight Key Points. If you are going to use two pages, it is important to list the most critical information toward the top of the first page and/or use bold font to ensure that the reader sees this information before determining if they should continue reading.

4. Use a Footer to remind who you are. I always recommend to include a footer on two-page resumes with your contact information so that the employer can always quickly see who he/she is reading about.

5. Readability. It’s difficult and frustrating to read very tiny print. Sorry, let me try that again. It’s difficult and frustrating to read very tiny print. In a large applicant pool, employers will simply move on to the next candidate if you’re using a size seven font so that everything fits on one page. Resume and Cover Letter font should always be size 10 – 12.

6. If you’re going to use it, then use it. If you are going onto a second page, then make sure that second page is at least half-filled with information. Otherwise, it would be better to reconsider the format and layout so that your information fits on one page.

Visit gregryanresumewriter.com to perfect your Résumé and Cover Letter today!!

Hi! Welcome to my Blog. I like to use my experience as both a Certified Résumé Writer and administrator in charge of the candidate selection and interview process for my department to share helpful tips that I have picked up along the way. This blog will be updated frequently. I hope you enjoy it! Positive Testimonials and remembering to “Like” my Facebook page are GREATLY appreciated.

5 Reasons You Should Customize Your Résumé

I hear the question all the time: “Can’t I just use one résumé for all job openings?” After all, your experiences and education don’t magically change simply because it’s a different job opportunity. I get why people think that way, but the fact is that it’s just not accurate thinking. Even if multiple openings are within the same field, each job listing comes with its own unique responsibilities and requirements. Furthermore, each employer is looking for something slightly different than the next. To further my point, I will use this blog entry to explain my top 5 reasons why you should customize your résumé.

1. You need to STAND out! A recent study found that the average job posting receives roughly 200 responses within a week of posting. Consider the following two résumés – Which résumé would you be more confident in getting a call back?

1) A generic résumé that doesn’t make any attempt to address the needs of an employer. OR 

2) One that highlights your value to that specific company. 

It’s worth the time to put in the work if it will help you stand out.

2. Show that you are actually qualified. One frustration that I routinely encounter while selecting candidates to interview is the large number of unqualified candidates that apply. This can happen for two reasons: 

1) They really aren’t qualified. OR 

2) They are qualified but didn’t do a good job communicating that in the precious few seconds résumés are looked at before gauging interest. 

It is imperative that employers can easily see that you are qualified. Don’t let reason #2 happen to you. It might mean you missed out on a great opportunity.

3. Helps to demonstrate genuine interest in the position. Another thing I notice when scanning résumés is that many give the impression that the candidate applies to any and all jobs he/she can find. Employers like to feel that you are truly interested in their specific opening. Whether that is true or not, it should always seem that way.

4. Makes it easier to include keywords. With employers receiving sometimes hundreds of résumés for each opening, they very often use software to filter out unqualified candidates. One way this is done is through the use of an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) that looks for specific keywords in a résumé. Scanning that specific job posting can help to determine keywords for the position.  (This is something that Certified Résumé Writers are VERY good at)

5. Focuses on relevant strengths and successes. By customizing your résumé, you are able to expand on specific responsibilities that may have been listed in the job posting. While they might have been on your résumé anyway, it helps to move them up and/or elaborate when possible. This will help employers visualize how you fit into their plan.

Visit gregryanresumewriter.com to perfect your Résumé and Cover Letter today!!

Hi! Welcome to my Blog. I like to use my experience as both a Certified Résumé Writer and administrator in charge of the candidate selection and interview process for my department to share helpful tips that I have picked up along the way. This blog will be updated frequently. I hope you enjoy it! Positive Testimonials and remembering to “Like” my Facebook page are GREATLY appreciated.

5 Ways To Build A Strong Resume Before You Know Your Career Path

Are you at a point in your life when you know you need to get serious about finding a good job, but you don’t know what career path you want to follow? That is very common and it can cause a great deal of stress. Fortunately, there are ways to create a strong resume even without knowing exactly what you want to do. Here are 5 ways to strengthen your resume while you are still figuring out your career path.

1. Universal Strengths: While some skills and achievements are industry-specific, many translate across any field of employment. Have you saved your company money? Or earned them additional revenue? Enhanced customer satisfaction? Demonstrated team leadership? Streamlined operational efficiency? These are just a few qualities that will benefit any employer and should be highlighted on your resume.

2. Honors and Awards: Even if they are not specifically related to your new field of interest, winning awards and receiving prestigious honors is always a plus. They show that you have the work ethic and ability to stand out amongst your peers.

3. Quantitative Facts: Anyone can provide a general statement about being skilled in a certain area, but including specific figures and quantitative proof is much more impactful on a resume. Numbers, percentages, direct quotes from previous employers, rankings, profit metrics, etc. Tangible evidence of your success goes a long way toward showing that you are a worthy candidate for any position.

4. Don’t Be Too Repetitive: Sometimes when people are searching for content to add, they begin to repeat themselves over and over. This will raise a red flag and potentially lose the reader’s interest. Make sure that all information added to a resume increases its impact and enhances its value. If nothing else, at least change the wording enough to show that new information is being provided.

5. Action & Active. Highlight and emphasize the steps that you take each and every day at work to enhance productivity and improve results. Instead of saying that company production increased during your time at a company, say that you spearheaded performance improvement by developing progress monitoring metrics that resulted in a 35% increase in annual revenue. The latter makes it more about you and less about the company. Your employer needs to want you, and showing them that you know how to deliver strong results can only help your case.

Visit gregryanresumewriter.com to perfect your Résumé and Cover Letter today!!

Hi! Welcome to my Blog. I like to use my experience as both a Certified Résumé Writer and administrator in charge of the candidate selection and interview process for my department to share helpful tips that I have picked up along the way. This blog will be updated frequently. I hope you enjoy it! Positive Testimonials and remembering to “Like” my Facebook page are GREATLY appreciated.

7 Things to Consider When Offered a Job

We all know the saying, “The grass isn’t always greener on the other side”. Well that is true with job hunting as well. Often, people have an urge to constantly search for new jobs due to the fear that something better is out there. While there usually is something else out there, that doesn’t mean that it’s necessarily better. Receiving a new job offer is exciting and a meaningful accomplishment, but you still want to make sure that the switch is right for you. Moving to a new job can certainly be a great move for you in terms of future potential and salary, but it’s not a guarantee. Here are 7 things to consider when offered a job that can help you determine if a new job offer makes sense for you.

1. Room for growth. This is a key topic to consider, especially if you have a desire to move up in the future. Many companies offer a good starting salary, but there isn’t really anywhere to go from there. Often, the easiest place to move up is within your own company, so it’s worth looking into growth potential in the new company.

2. Stability of position and company. Sometimes a position sounds almost too good to be true. Before leaving a solid job at a stable company, you may want to consider the stability of the new company and position. Has each been around awhile? If there is a risk – which is not always a bad thing – are you in a position to take it?

3. Does the position spark your interest? If you plan on being at your new position for the foreseeable future, you probably don’t want to be miserable each day. Some items to consider include: Will you be able to learn about new areas, products or programs? Are you truly interested in the field that you are considering entering?

4. Does the new schedule and commute make sense for you and your family? It’s easy to get caught up in the thrill of a new job (and potentially higher salary), only to forget to consider how it will impact your personal life. Everyone’s situation is different, so be sure to consider the new schedule and commute when deciding on a job offer.

5. Can you envision yourself working with these people for years to come? Most people spend just as much time with their colleagues as their own families. If something gives you a bad feeling about working with the people in the interview, it’s worth thinking about if the job is truly right for you.

6. Are you simply following the crowd? You’d be surprised to hear how many people begin applying for new jobs simply because their friends or co-workers are changing jobs. I assume this is due to a fear of being left behind. Still, switching jobs or careers is not the right move for everyone. Be sure to find the right opportunity for you, not simply the next opportunity.

7. Does the actual role match the description? Occasionally, employers will try to lure in applicants with job postings that promise interesting & creative opportunities, travel, etc., but then in the interview the job doesn’t seem to match the description for which you applied. That should be a red flag. Especially if you are leaving behind a solid career, you don’t want to have buyer’s remorse within a few weeks on the new job. 

Visit gregryanresumewriter.com to perfect your Résumé and Cover Letter today!!

Hi! Welcome to my Blog. I like to use my experience as both a Certified Résumé Writer and administrator in charge of the candidate selection and interview process for my department to share helpful tips that I have picked up along the way. This blog will be updated frequently. I hope you enjoy it! Positive Testimonials and remembering to “Like” my Facebook page are GREATLY appreciated.

6 Important Things Hiring Managers Look For in a Resume

Over the years, I have talked with countless hiring managers, human resource directors and managers. While each industry may be looking for different specific information, there are some common trends that every job seeker should be aware of when preparing a resume. Here are the top 6 things that Hiring Managers will be looking for in your resume.

1. Powerful Opening. Studies have shown that employers will focus on the top portion of the first page of a resume before deciding if they want to continue reading. Therefore, burying key information lower on your resume may mean that it never even gets read. Opening your resume with a powerful (and brief) professional summary and list of key skills will engage the reader while showcasing why you are qualified for the position.

2. Significant tangible positive impact. It may seem like employers want to get to know you from your resume, but mainly they just want to know how hiring you will benefit them. That may sound cold, but it’s just the nature of business. That means it is imperative to demonstrate how your skills and experiences will directly benefit your potential employer’s company.

3. Initiative. Do you wait for someone to tell you how to solve a problem and what to do next? Or do you take initiative to proactively identify and resolve issues before they arise? If you answered the latter, then employers will be interested in you. After all, they pay you to deliver quality results while they are busy with other responsibilities. Make sure your resume reflects your initiative.

4. Keyword Usage. Keywords usage has become a hot topic in resume writing these days. Employers are hiring you for specific reasons with specific goals in mind. Do your best to utilize the job description and your knowledge of the company to highlight how your skills align with their needs.

5. Targeted Information. As much as possible, steer your accomplishments and previous responsibilities to match what you will potentially be doing in this new position. That makes it easy for employers to visualize you succeeding in your new role.

6. Easy-to-Read Professional Layout. Like books, resumes are often judged by their “cover”. That is, an employer’s first impression is determined by how inviting and well-formatted your resume appears. If they like the layout, they are more likely to like the content as well.

Visit gregryanresumewriter.com to perfect your Résumé and Cover Letter today!!