Chronological Resume-Everything You Need To Know

Chronological Resume-Everything You Need To KnowChronological Resume-Everything You Need To KnowChronological Resume format is one of the three most popular resume formats used by job applicants. Also known as reverse-chronological resume, this format being the most conventional one, is the first thing that comes to everyones mind when they think of resume writing. Though it is not the perfect format for all job seekers, but it is the most sought-after one.What to include in a Chronological ResumeContact InformationProfessional SummaryTitleWork ExperienceSkillsEducationAdditional InformationHow a Chronological Resume is different from othersThis format makes itself unique by giving its utmost attention to the employment history. A chronological resume is quite effective as it gives the recruiters a clear view of your progress so far.All the experiences of the individual are listed in reverse order, that is, from the most recent to the oldest. You even need to include the starting and ending dates or the duration for the specific work experience. Also, you need to include your achievements at your former workplaces, as this is the most prioritized section in the resume.But, you must remember that this format also highlights the inconsistency in your job life, if any. And, also not to forget backfires on you, if you dont have any major experiences or achievements. So, it is not used by entry-level candidates or those who want to put more emphasis on skills not experiences.In short, a chronological resume is the best choice for those job applicants who have a solid and consistent employment history. Otherwise you may use a functional or combination resume.Its Advantages Emphasis on work historyPreferred by recruitersClearly shows the companies and the length of time you worked forConcise view of your achievementsIts DisadvantagesDoesnt highlight skillsShows the gaps in your employment historyReveals how frequently you have been changing jobs

All About Video Resumes

All About Video ResumesAll About Video ResumesIf you havent received yur first video resumes from candidates yet, you will shortly. The buzz is growing and video resumes are the next cool thing to do. In fact, the conversation has already moved from whether to make a video resume to how to make a professional video resume to enhance job applications. So, employers will be seeing video resumes - whether they want them or elend. And, most employers appear open to viewing video resumes. According to career publisher Vault Inc.s annual employer survey 89% of employers revealed that they would watch a video resume if it were submitted to them. Although most employers have not yet used this new technology as an evaluative tool only 17% have actually viewed a video resume - the vast majority are receptive to it.The primary reason why employers would value video resumes is the ability to assess a candidates professional presentation and demeanor (52%). What Employers Are Seeing in Video Resumes As an employer, my understanding from other employers is that the video resumes they are receiving are fairly unprofessional and may turn them off to a befhigung candidate. Giggly spoken lists of skills or discussing non-work hobbies are not positively affecting employment opportunities. Nor does unprofessional dress and an ineffective presentation. The other current employer complaint is the length of the videos. If an employer is interested in a candidate, after reviewing the resume cover letter and the resume, they might follow a link to watch a video resume for one to two minutes. According to the Vault Inc. study, referenced above, only 17% of employers have viewed a video resume. Take a look at Alison Doyles advice for job searchers about making professional video resumes that are acceptable to employers. Whats Wrong With Video Resumes From an employer perspective, I have several concerns with video resumes. In the United States, discrimination concerns and laws l ong ago discouraged applicants from sending pictures and personal information with the resume. So, employers need to consider several potential issues with video resumes. Video resumes heighten the possibility of managers practicing subtle discrimination, because face it, no matter how much training and understanding exists in this world, most employers still tend to hire people who are just like their best current employees. From a company cultural perspective, this may not be all bad, but from a diversity standpoint, its just plain worrisome. And, many employers in Europe, and elsewhere, have never stopped requiring the candidates picture and personal information with the resume. The possibility exists, that in our litigious society, an employer can be accused of discrimination later because the video resume supplies information that you would not know about a candidate from a paper resume. Information, that in many cases, you dont want to know because the possibility for subtle d iscrimination exists as mentioned above. However, career specialists identify that this saatkorn possibility of discrimination occurs throughout the employee selection process. As reported in E-commerce Times Tyler Redford, chief executive of ResumeBook, acknowledged that employers and career centers have been skeptical, and fewer than a third of its users have posted a video resume, even though it is a core feature. However, Redford and other supporters believe discrimination could occur at the interview stage even without video resumes, so that alone should not deter job seekers. Other attorneys are advising their employer clients not to accept or view video resumes because of the possibility of charges of discrimination based on age, gender, ethnicity, and disability. Just dont even deal with them, said Dennis Brown, an attorney in the San Jose, Calif., office of Littler Mendelson whose firm recently advised employers about the dangers of video rsums at a seminar. Browns main con cern with video rsums is that they reveal information about a persons race, sex, disability, age - all details that could wind up in a discrimination lawsuit. He believes that employers should stick to the old-fashioned paper rsums and avoid the potential legal hassles of video rsums ... The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission also has expressed similar concerns, noting that video rsums could also lead to the exclusion of people who are not tech-savvy, or minority applicants who may not have access to broadband-equipped computers or video cameras. On the flip side, employers should have concerns about requiring a video resume. This would only be appropriate for a position in which presentation skills were required, or possibly, in fields that require a portfolio. So far, employers have not experienced the pain of a video resume lawsuit. No one has yet filed a major lawsuit for discrimination by video rsum. But George Lenard, a St. Louis, Mo., employment lawyer, can envision a c ase centered on disparate impact. If an employer requires applications by video, then those without video cameras and broadband-equipped computers might argue they lacked access. Finally, when the average resume receives a few second overviews, expecting an employer to add the time to the process necessary to view a video resume, is asking a lot. And, I dont even want to think about future lawsuits in which employers are accused of randomly viewing video resumes, rather than viewing every video resume they receive. Final Tips About Video Resumes A video resume can be helpful when you are screening applicants who might have to travel for an interview, but teleconferencing, meeting in Google Hangouts, and even the traditional telephone screen can minimize the distance factor, too. In our Internet world, many candidate screening options are available. Employers are expected to practice non-discriminatory actions during every phase of the hiring process. Apply the same care and cons ideration to the video resume evaluation. Or, decide not to accept them at all return any video resumes received with instructions to follow the application process you advertised, to create a valid application.

Show You Mean Business by Starting Your Own

Show You Mean Business by Starting Your OwnShow You Mean Business by Starting Your OwnBusiness doesnt stop, nor should you. These job seekers became entrepreneurs to demonstrate that they were still strong employees.Tim Wood is a career software engineer who has ridden the technology-employment roller coaster for years. During the 2001 to 2003 downturn in tech, Wood went through a two-year period of unemployment and considered leaving the Information Technology industry altogether. He eventually landed a new position in IT, but it took more than the traditional job-seeking methods Wood started his own geschftliches miteinander.Woods entrepreneurial spirit arose less from a desire to go it on his own and more from a need to keep his skill platzdeckchen fresh in a very competitive job market. Few industries change more rapidly than IT, and Wood knew that he needed to be able to demonstrate that his talent and technique were current.Wood launched LiveCut, which lets a user go to a conce rt and use his cell phone and the Web to order, pay for and download recordings from the concert. I designed something from scratch that I had a strong personal enthusiasm about, and then built it using my computers and network at home, as well as open-source software, he said. I could then go out during my job and say, Hey, Im building something that uses Web services and SOAP data exchange protocol.Wood also formed an LLC, obtained a trademark on LiveCut for digital music sales and welches issued a patent on the underlying system technology. I made sure to do the geschftlicher umgang things I was able to, and so develop that way, as well as technically with the system engineering, he said.Wood, who was hired as a principal member of technical staff at Oracle, said working on LiveCut kept his tech and business skills updated and thus competitive, but it was also very important to save my own sanity.Business Doesnt StopDiane Hansen would no doubt understand. A little more than a yea r ago, Hansen was laid off from her position as marketing manager at Konami, a gaming company. Hansen said she had seen the writing on the wall, and she started positioning herself as a marketing and communications consultant.Like Wood, Hansen decided to go it on her own as a way to maintain a competitive edge while looking for a new full-time position. A top executive told me that freelancing is the best thing you can do because business doesnt stop just because you are not working, she said. Everything is continuously changing, especially in marketing and PR. By freelancing, I was able to keep my skills sharp, and that really helps.Working as an independent consultant paid unexpected dividends for Hansen, as well. As a marketing and communications manager she had directed PR agencies, but she had never been a PR person in the trenches, she said. Id written press releases, but Id usually pushed it off to an agency to execute. This gave me some execution skills I didnt have before, and now I find its actually my strong suit, which helped me enhance and build my resume.Hansen said her business also provided new networking opportunities, which resulted in new business and eventually a full-time position as a marketing and communications manager for Getaway Media. I certainly wouldnt have a position now that sustains me if I hadnt freelanced, she said. Its a nontraditional way to find a job, but it found me the right job - the job that was right for me.Balance and DiscretionDeborah A. Bailey, a career expert, speaker and author of Think Like an Entrepreneur Transforming Your Career and Taking Charge of Your Life, said thinking like an entrepreneur can be a valuable tool in this competitive job market, especially since employers typically want to see that candidates are productive and driven, even during periods of unemployment. Read the Business Owners Resume Riddle for more on making the move from entrepreneur to employee.However, she said, its important to sh ow discretion.For one thing, said Bailey, take care in articulating scope when laying out independent experience on your resume and in your cover letter. Potential employers could get scared off if they think you will spend more time on your own venture than you will on theirs. Also, she said, make sure that your side business cant be seen as competing with the company you are hoping to work for, and be mindful of intellectual property issues.A job seeker who can strike the right balance between being an entrepreneur and an employee stands a strong chance of being hired. A side project, said Wood, shows a proactive nature, shows original thought and shows the ability to execute and produce results.