Land a job this summer with this 35-point executive resume checklist

Land a job this summer with this 35-point executive resume checklistLand a job this summer with this 35-point executive resume checklistSummer is the perfect time to land that executive job youve been longing for. So many are under the mistaken impression that there are no job opportunities during this time, but the opposite is true. One of the main reasons is that are fewer applicants looking so the competition isnt as robust. There arent many candidates vying for the same job. And since hiring managers really want to take time off during the summer, if there is a posted opening, that job is REALLY open. They need it filled fast. This is great news for your job search.However, just as important in getting out there this summer is updating your executive resume to land those interviews. Whether you currently have a resume or are creating one from scratch, this 35-Point Assessment Checklist will help you get your resume in top-elendch shape.Getting started1. Choose a contemporary font like Calibri or Arial Narrow for creative professions and a traditional font like Cambria or Garamond for conservative flecks. Do bedrngnis use ornate or script fonts. Fonts that vary too much from the accepted norms can leave negative impressions and will not be properly read by resume databases.2. Use a type size between 10 and 12 for resume text. For section headings, use up to 16-points. Use a 9- or 9.5-point type size for firm descriptions. Never use a type size smaller than 9 or larger than 16.3. Utilize a layout and design that reflects the sttte and compensation you are seeking. This is your marketing document. The font, borders, and layout choices of your resume should properly organize and clearly present your information to convey the appropriate image.Contact information4. Place your contact information at the top of the resume but not in the header. Resume databases and email previewers typically do not pick up information in headers or footers. Include your physical a ddress, personal email address, and cell phone number.5. Include your social media links with your contact information. Include a personalized version of your LinkedIn Profile URL link, Facebook page and/or Twitter account under your name, address, phone number(s) and email address. Make sure that the links hilfe your professional purpose and are not personal.6. If you went to a top school and/or a school with a robust alumni network, use your schools email address (yournameschoolname.edu). Its the best tool for objective branding without appearing like a braggart. Otherwise, make sure that your email address is neutral and professional, such as a Gmail email address.Branded summary section7. Remove any section titled Objective that states what you are looking for in your next role or company. Employers want to learn what value and skills you will bring to their organization- not what you are looking for in your next role.8. Create a branded title or heading for yourself that relate s to the job you are applying for. EXAMPLES Project Manager Business Analyst Versatile Office Manager Marketing Communications Specialist. Make it easy for the reader to position you in the context of their company. This will also help communicate the job for which you are applying, even if your resume is separated from your cover letter.9. Under your branded heading, create a bulleted keyword section using phrases, topics, and skills that you derive from job ads for the position you are targeting. Resume databases and recruiters use key phrases to source candidates this list will help them find you and will make sure you are offering them exactly what they are asking for.10. Use action verbs and nouns when writing your title and keyword section like profitable and optimized. Avoid subjective descriptions, such as reliable, excellent, best, and cooperative.Employment section11. Save space on the first page by not using the heading Experience. This will be obvious to the reader. Howe ver later in your resume, do use headings such as Skills, Interests, Education, Licenses, Certifications, Training/Professional Development, or Volunteer, as they make that information clear to the reader.12. All employment bullets need to start with an action-driven verb. Do not list job description responsibilities or a list of tasks. Do not use nouns to begin your bullets. Do not start with phrases like, Duties included or Responsible for, as this does not conjure an image of action, but a passive list of boring tasks.13. Use present tense verbs for current positions currently held and past tense verbs for all past positions. Do not use first-person pronouns anywhere in the resume ever.14. Do your bullets demonstrate how you can solve problems experienced by the prospective company? Ask this question for each bullet that you have listed on your resume. Review ads that describe the job you are seeking to ensure you are customizing your resume appropriately.15. Include employment experience within the last 15-20 years. Do not cite jobs from more than 15-20 years ago. Exceptions to this rule can be jobs that resulted in earning a professional certification (i.e. CPA) or jobs with a top-tier company that demonstrate exceptional caliber and depth of experience (i.e. early Microsoft or Fortune 100 experience).16. Ensure your employment bullets cite measurable achievements. Show the results of your work using quantifiable references. Answer the question, How do I know I did a good job? with numbers for each bullet. Outline how you reduced expenses, increased revenue, optimized services or streamlined a process. EXAMPLE Drove membership to the highest level in the organizations history does not give a sense of from how many to how many. If you write Drove membership from 50 to 75 or Drove membership from 1,500 to 4,500, those are two different experiences, despite both starting the sentence with Drove membership The numbers give context to your achievements.17. Give a sense of size and scope of your previous and/or current employer. EXAMPLE If you list, Managed financials for this start-up division of this progressive Fortune 500 firm, there is no sense of the size of the budget. It is better to write the bullet as, Managed the $400,000 budget for this start-up division of this progressive Fortune 500 firm. This gives a greater sense of the size and scope of the environment where you worked.18. Structure your promotions at one company under a single company heading. Do not show them as jobs under separate company headings. Using separate headings gives the impression that you had roles at different companies when, in actuality, you were promoted. Listing your progress under one heading demonstrates that you had career progression at one company versus different companies.19. Accentuate the positive attributes in your background and de-emphasize the negative with placement, font treatment (bold, italics, and underlining). EXAMPLE If you wor ked for great companies, make the company names more prominent by listing them first. If you have relevant job titles but you are looking to switch industries, downplay the company names where you worked and emphasize the titles you held.Education section20. Schooling should be at the bottom of your resume unless (a) you graduated within the last year or (b) you graduated within 2-3 years from an area of study that is related to the work you are pursuing and it is a different field from your past/current work experience.21. Include your GPA if you graduated within the past 5 years and your GPA was above a 3.0.22. If you graduated from school over 15 years ago, you do not need to include the year of graduation. Always include honors and honor societies from universities/colleges.23. Unless you are a recent college graduate, you do not need to include job experiences or activities performed while in school.24. Once you have obtained your Bachelors degree, dont list your Associates deg ree.Additional sections25. When listing volunteer/professional affiliations, utilize the same parameters as listing an employer. Give yourself an appropriate title like Membership Coordinator or Financial Manager instead of Volunteer. If you have this experience listed in a section entitled Volunteer, it is understood you are/were a volunteer. Craft achievement-driven bullets outlining goals met in fundraising, membership increases, budgets managed, programs administered, groups coordinated and other crucial functions that had an impact.26. Remove any clubs/associations that relate to religious, political or controversial issues.27. Ensure that any software skills you list are current and relevant to todays marketplace.28. If you have them, list language skills other than English on your resume. If you are bi-lingual, do not list English as one of your languages for domestic positions. It is implied. If the bi-lingual skills are highly pertinent to the position being applied to, con sider including this in the branded summary at the top of the resume.29. Do not add any references to your resume and remove the References Available Upon Request statement at the bottom of your resume. It is understood that references will be provided if asked during the interview process- so do not waste the space stating the obvious.Overall analysis review30. If you have a 2+ page resume, ask yourself, Am I keeping the reader interested in 5-10 second increments to ensure they read the subsequent pages? Just because you have a two- or three-page resume does not mean it will be read.31. Do not insert graphics, text boxes or tables into your resume. These are not digested by resume databases very well. Use the borders/shading function in MS Word to simply create design elements without inserting lines or complex graphical components.32. Test your resume online and on paper. Print it out and see that it lays out the way you expected. Open up the document to view it on your computer screen- does it format as you expected?33. Put your name, contact information (email/phone number only) and page number on subsequent pages and addendums of your resume.34. Can your resume be read on most commonly used PDA devices and within resume databases? This is worth exploring since most people do not work in front of a PC all day anymore. To create a text-only resume (called an ASCII Resume) for entering into online job applications that populate resume databases, save your resume as a .txt file.35. Put your bullets to the test Are they easy to understand? Could you say the bullet phase aloud and it makes sense? Would it make sense to someone who is not in the industry?Now that you have finished auditing your resume, you can take the next step to rebuild the sections of your resume - or start over - that need more work. This will ensure you have the best Branded Resume to showcase your skills effectively. And remember if you need help, you can always enlist the help of tho se who specialize in executive resume writing.Lisa Rangelof Chameleon Resumes LLC,www.chameleonresumes.com, a Forbes Top 100 Career Website, is a 10-time Certified Resume Writer, Job Search Consultant Former Recruiter.

How to Negotiate Better Work Hours

How to Negotiate Better Work HoursHow to Negotiate Better Work HoursHow to Negotiate Better Work HoursHigh gas prices, family responsibilities, nightmare commute. Whatever the reason, many people are longing for mora convenient work hours. And most employers will at least try to be flexible in hopes of retaining good, happy workers. So before you accept a job offer or even after youve settled in with a company, you can try to negotiate a change in work hours. The trick is to emphasize how your employer will benefit from the change, not how your life will be better.For instance, when I started my first full-time, professional job, I was commuting 30 minutes each way. That was a walk in the park for me. Then I decided to up and move to a neighboring state, increasing my commute by an extra 30+ minutes each way. Add traffic and construction and I was looking at an hour-and-a-half commute each way.That company also adhered to strict work hours, so when traffic began delaying my morning a rrival, I expressed my concerns about tardiness and managed to shift my 830 to 530 work hours to 730 to 430, in hopes of avoiding rush hour problems. My anfhrer was happy to oblige.NEGOTIATION MOTIVATIONThe key to successfully negotiating a change in work hours, I discovered, was to provide my boss with a list of ways the time shift would be good (or at least not bad) for the companys bottom line.Here are the three main reasons why you would seek mora convenient work hours, and how you can pitch any one of them to your bossGas PricesThis is a reason almost any employer can understand today. Your goal here is to eliminate a days commute, which will automatically cut your gas bill by one-fifth.Scheduling OptionsWork four 10-hour days instead of five 8-hour daysTelecommute one or more days a weekAlso, part of the reason employers agree to these gas-saving perks is to keep their best and brightest workers from seeking positions closer to home (claims Challenger, Gray Christmas, Inc.).N ightmare CommuteIn my case, I was more concerned about arriving at work on time and decreasing traffic stress than I was about gas prices (this was over a year ago, when gas prices were only $3-something a gallon). The goal for this motivator is to eliminate the need to fight rush-hour traffic.Scheduling OptionsStarting earlier and finishing earlierStarting later and finishing laterFamily ResponsibilitiesFor some people its young children. For others, its aging parents. For many, its both. The time and money commitments of family care leave many workers stressed. If this is your primary motivator, your goal is to have more time to spend with family, and perhaps cut down on their paid care, as well.Scheduling OptionsWork late some days so you can leave early other daysCut back to part-time hours (if you can handle the financial loss)Compress your work week (four 10-hour days)Telecommute at least some of the time (e.g., the first few hours eachmorning)And here are some ideas for pitch ing these ideas to your boss so that the business benefits outshine your personal motives. Offer a detailed work schedule to track your commitments Identify what projects could benefit from a compressed work week Stress your availability by phone, chat, or email at home Emphasize that you will maintainproductivity andkeep distractions to a minimumBut keep in mind that working from home is not a substitute for child care. You still need to do your job and do it well (or youll be back to regular office hours in no time).INITIATE A TRIAL PERIODWhatever motive you have or approach you take, offer a trial period with your pitch. Try out the new schedule for about a month and meet with your boss afterward to see if its working out well - for both sides. As long as your boss has the freedom to reinstate normal hours if the alternative isnt working out, he or she should be more inclined to grant your wishes.I cant promise itll work on an uptight, micro-managing boss though. Youre on your ow n there.

AWOL and Desertion in the National Guard and Reserves

AWOL and Desertion in the National Guard and ReservesAWOL and Desertion in the National Guard and ReservesAny member of the active duty military who fails to report when and where he or she is expected is considered absent without leave (AWOL). Even if youre just a few minutes late to a drill, you could be considered AWOL, and subject to penalty.The Reserves, however, handle AWOL a bit differently than their active duty counterparts. AWOL in the National Guard and Reserves Members of the Army and Air National Guard are not subject to the Uniform Code of Military Justice unless they have been called to federal active duty service. It means that members of the National Guard cannot be punished for missing weekend drills or failing to show up for the two weeks of annual training. Unless called up to federal active duty service, the National Guard belongs to the individual state and not the federal government. However many states have enacted state laws which mirror the UCMJ articles for Guard members performing state service. In all cases, whether Guard or Reserve, members buchunged to Extended Active Duty (EAD) such as for a deployment to Iraq or Afghanistan are subject to the UCMJ. Guard and Reserve members who refuse or fail to comply with EAD orders, or go absent while on EAD are treated the same way as active duty members who go AWOL. What happens if a Guard or Reserve member fails or refuses to show up for weekend drill? The services dont generally court-martial Reservists who fail or refuse to participate in a drill. The rules vary according to each branch of the service. Army Reserves and National Guard Rules Army Guard and Reserve members who refuse to report to Initial Active Duty Training (IADT) are usually discharged for entry level wertzuwachs and conduct. Participation in weekend drills for Soldiers who have not yet gone to Basic Training (boot camp) is completely voluntary. Members who report for IADT and then go AWOL are treated the same as active duty members who go absent. After IADT, Reservists who have accrued in any one-year period a total of nine or more unexcused absences from scheduled drill, or who miss Annual Training (AT) are considered unsatisfactory participants. What happens then is up to the unit commander. If the unit commander thinks the member still has to potential to be deployed, the commander can transfer the member to the Individual Ready Reserve (IRR). The commander can also impose a grade reduction in conjunction with the transfer. However, if the commander believes the member does not have thepotential to participate in deployments, discharge action will be initiated. Most such discharges are characterized as other-than-honorable conditions (OTHC). And since the Army National Guard belongs to the state, not the federal government, individual state laws may apply. Air Force Reserves and National Guard Air Force Reservists who have been in the service for less than 180 days are considered to be in Entry Level status. Entry Level airmen who refuse to participate in a weekend drill or refuse orders to IADT are almost always discharged. Most such discharges are characterized as entry level. However, Reservists who go AWOL during IADT are processed the same as active duty members. Reservists who have nine or more unexcused absences from aweekend drill in a one year period, or who fail or refuse to complete the two-week annual training are considered unsatisfactory participants. Under these circumstances, the commander has several options. He or she can delay or defer promotion or impose an administrative demotion, or can involuntarily call the member to active duty for a period not to exceed 45 days. If the member has not completed their Military tafelgeschirr Obligation (MSO), the commander can even involuntarily recall the member to active duty for a period not to exceed a total of 24 months. Failure or refusal to comply with such orders to involuntary active duty cons titutes absence without leave AWOL, and the member is treated just as active duty members are. The commander may also transfer the member to the IRR. Finally, if the commander determines that continued Reserve service is not in the best interest of the Air Force, he or she may initiate discharge action. Most such discharges are characterized as OTHC. Navy Reserves Members of the Navy Reserve, who have not yet started IADT and who refuse to participate in drill or IADT orders are discharged as an uncharacterized Entry Level Separation (ELS). Members who go AWOL while in IADT are treated the same as active duty personnel who go AWOL. If the commanding officer believes the circumstances that caused the Reservist to be an unsatisfactory participant have been resolved, he/she can place the member on six months probation. Otherwise, the commander can recommend transfer to the IRR. Finally, the commander can initiate discharge proceedings for the reason of unsatisfactory participation. According to MILPERSMAN 1910-304, such discharges are usually characterized as Honorable or General (Under Honorable Conditions). Marine korporation Reserves A Marine Corps Reserve member who has not yet attended IADT, who refuses to ship out to Basic, or who state a desire to be discharged, are administratively discharged as an uncharacterized Entry Level Separation (ELS). Members who go AWOL while in IADT are treated the same as active duty personnel who go AWOL. When a Reservist acquires at least nine unexcused absences or is categorized as an unsatisfactory participant for reasons other than excessive absences, the unit commander may either retain the Reservist and authorize him/her to regain satisfactory participation status or initiate separation proceedings. Coast Guard Reserves AWOL Rules Coast Guard Reservists are obligated to complete IADT, report per orders, and attend 90 percent of scheduled, authorized paid weekend drills per fiscal year and, must satisfy the a nnual training (AT) requirement. Unsatisfactory participation is the failure to comply with any of the obligations listed above. Participation is also considered unsatisfactory when members of the SELRES acquire at least nine unexcused absences from scheduled training within a 12-month period. What happens to Reservists who are unsatisfactory participants is up to the commanding officer. Reservists who have not fulfilled their statutory military service obligation (MSO) may be ordered involuntarily to active duty if they have not accumulated more than 24 months of combined active service. The CO may also elect to transfer members to the IRR. Finally, the commander may elect administrative discharge. As with other branches Reserves, anyone failing to comply with any involuntary order to active duty is reported as AWOLand handled just like active duty AWOLs.