Description
It’s amazing the misinformation found in most rsum books! Scott Bennett has hired hundreds of people in a variety of industries, and he knows firsthand whatkind of rsum sparks an employer’s interest – and which ones fail. In The Elements of Rsum Style, he warns against popular “tricks” that tend to backfire – and instead shows readers how to craft clear, compelling, targeted rsums and cover letters that actually work. In this new edition, readers see that whether it’s on paper or online, the rules arethe same: use clear, dynamic language – and keep it short and focused. Now covering social media, the online application process, and more, this indispensableguide provides: More than 1,400 action words, statements, and position descriptions that help sellyour skills and experience Hundreds of words, phrases, and vague claims to avoid Advice for handling employment gaps, job-hopping, and requests for salary history and requirements Sample rsums, response letter, inquiry letter, informational interview request letter, references, and more Surprising tips for acing the interview Competition is intense no matter what your field, but this candid book’s time-tested tools will make you stand out – and help get you the job you deserve! www.patreon.com/shellgame www.shellgamewhistleblower.com Contents Preface to the Second Editionxiii Introduction: Writers Make Choicesxv Why Sometimes You Can Do Everything Right and Still Get No Invitation to an Interview * Pay Attention to Items Within Your Control * Less Is More * Twelve Things You Can Do Without 1. Common Concerns 1 Are You Sure of Where You Want to Work? * Are You Sure of What You Want to Do? * Move Beyond Your Dreamkillers * Rsum Length * Chronological or Functional Rsum? * Employment Gaps * Include Interim Jobs? * Self-Employment * Job Hopping * What About Social Media? 2. Presentation: The Reader Sees More than Words 13 Paper * Ink * Margins * Spacing * Font * Boldface * Italics * All Caps * Underlining * Save As . . . 3. Even the Simplest Items Send Messages to the Reader 19 Your Name * Your Address * Your Phone Number * Your Fax Number * Your E-Mail Address * Your E-Mail Signature 4. Sell Your Skills and Experience– Always with the Reader in Mind23 Goal Section? * Goal vs. Objective * Executive Summary Section? * Give Readers a Reason to Believe * Education or Work Experience Section First? * “Work Experience” vs. “Professional Experience” * Position Descriptions/Blurbs * Sentences/Action Statements * Verbs/Action Words * Volunteer Experience Section * Education Section * Inventions, Published Works, Seminars Section * Software Skills Section * Language Skills Section * Memberships Section * References Statement? * Personal Information Section? * Artwork, Photos, Decorative Borders, and Line Art 5. Deliver Your Message the Right Way to the Right Places57 Sending Your Rsum * Job/Career Fairs and Reverse Job/Career Fairs * Responding to Blind Ads * Thinking Outside the Cubicle 6. Cover Letters 65 Cover Letters in General * Sample Response Letter * The Unsung Hero of the Job Search: The Inquiry Letter * Sample Inquiry Letter * Informational Interview Request Letter * Sample Informational Interview Request Letter 7. The Final Three Pre-Interview Items: Salary Requirements, Salary History, References73 Request for Salary Requirements * Request for Salary History * Elements of Compensation for Salary History * References 8. Marketing to Yourself81 9. Bonus Interview Chapter, By Popular Demand: Scott, My Rsum Worked! Now What?!83 Physical Prep * Mental Prep * Read Up and Then Meet Up * Are You Ready for Your Close-Up? * After the Interview Conclusion: You’re the Carpenter95 Appendices97 A.More Examples of Effective Position Descriptions/Blurbs99 B.A Special Note to Homemakers117 C.A Special Note to Veterans119 D.A Special Note to Ex-Offenders123 E.A Special Note to People in Recovery127 Index129 About the Author135
