Coordinator Resume Sample Job Description

Event Planner / Coordinator Resume Sample Job Description Ready to write an event planner resume?Figuring out the best venues and vendors. Managing the finances and logistics. Being yelled at in front of everyone while maintaining a sincere smile.It's your dream gig.Youre confident you can plan and execute an event once you get the job, but how do you prove it to them?Dont worry.This event planner resume guide will show you:Event planner resume examples better than 9 out of 10 other resumes.How to write an event coordinator resume that will land you more interviews.Tips and examples of how to put skills and achievements on an event planner resume.How to describe your experience on a resume to get any event planning jobs you want.Heres an event planner resume sample made using our resume builder:Want to save time and have your resume ready in 5 minutes? Try our resume builder. Its fast and easy to use. Plus, youll get ready-made content to add with one click. See 20+ resume templates and create your resume here.Sample Event Planning ResumeSe e more templates and create your resume here.One of our users, Nikos, had this to say:[I used] a nice template I found on Zety. My resume is now one page long, not three. With the same stuff.Create your resume nowWant to see other resume samples for jobs related to event planning and the events industry? Have a look at one of our guides:Consultant Resume ExamplesHospitality Resume ExamplesStage Manager Resume ExamplesHostess Resume ExamplesEvent Manager Resume ExampleLogistics Resume ExamplesTrade Trifles Trivia: What is event planning? Is there a difference between that and an event coordinator?An event planner generally makes all the decisions, arrangements, and logistical preparations in advance. Event coordinators typically carry out the plan and make it realized.These terms are often interchanged, so it is best to check the job description in detail.1Format the Event Planner Resume Before WritingBefore you begin writing your resume, make sure the event planner resume template is formatted to perfection.Here's how:How to Format an Event Planner Resume with ExperienceHave experience working in event production or with event planning jobs?Use the chronological format.The reverse-chron format emphasizes your most recent education and employment history first.If you have secondary entries, those go below it, and so on.Pro Tip: Choose the best resume fontsto make it easy for the hiring manager to read your resume. Use 11pt or 12pt font size for the body, and 2-4pts larger for subtitles.How to Format an Event Planning Resume With No ExperienceWriting an entry-level event planner resume?On a first-time job resume, youll still use reverse-chronological format.However, you'll simply list the duties you were tasked with at the other jobs which are closest in nature to the role of an event planner.Pro Tip: Save the resume as a PDF, but check the job ad first to be certain PDFs are acceptable. Though rare, some applicant tracking systems can get jammed like a narrow emergency exit on PDF formatting.Not 100% sure using the reverse-chron layout is right for your party coordinator resume? See our guide: The Best Resume Formats: Which One to Choose for Your Job?When deciding which resume layout to choose, create an outline to plan out its organization. See this article for more: Resume Outline Examples: Complete How-To Guide With 15+ Tips2Choose an Event Planner Resume Summary or Resume ObjectiveLike a wedding MC speaking to people of ever-decreasing attention spans, you need to catch the employer's attention from the very beginning.That's where resume objectives or resume summariescome into play.Which one is right?The Event Planner Resume SummaryUse the career summary when you have experience in the events industry space.The summary statement is a brief paragraph at the top of your resume which highlights your wins in previous event planning roles. To kick things up a notch, this introductory paragraph mixes in a key achievement using numbers to c ertify your event planning talent.Here are examples of event planning resume summaries:RIGHTPersonable event planner with 4+ years expertise in a fast-paced agency in a large city. Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) certification. Managed 50+ events of parties over 200 attendees and budgets over $50,000. Seeking to advance event logistics career by growing with the Queens Qreative team.wrongI have been an event planner for the last 4 years. In addition to my expertise in various planning duties and responsibilities, I also handle event finances, logistics, venue booking, personnel, and key administration procedures.See how ineffective the second one is? It's just a list of tasks related to event planning, but they get no idea how well you managed them.The first example uses numbers to alleviate this issue.Having trouble getting started on your special event planning resume? Check out this guide: How to Open a Resume: 15+ ExamplesIf youre craving more advice and examples of summari es for event planning resumes, check out our guide: How To Write A Resume Summary: 21 Best Examples You Will SeeThe Event Planner Resume ObjectiveDon't know the difference between an attrition rate and a rack rate?Go with the career objective.The resume objective statement for event planning resumes replaces your little or no experience with aspirational career goals. However, this intro paragraph also includes a number or two to verify your skills.Here are examples of objectives for event planner resumes without experience:RIGHTDiligent and results-driven assistant manager with 3+ years experience at large retail store. Received top scores in customer happiness (100%) and return mitigation (97.5%). Looking to utilize transferable skills and switch careers by joining Queens Qreative team as a junior event planner.WRONGI am an assistant manager eager to become an event planner. I dont have experience in event coordination, but I am very motivated because I enjoy being in changing env ironments for work rather than at a desk each day.Just like with the summary statement, numbered accomplishments make a solid introduction.When making a resume in our builder, drag drop bullet points, skills, and auto-fill the boring stuff. Spell check? Check. Start building your resume here.Create my resume nowWhen youre done, Zetys resume builder will score your resume and tell you exactly how to make it better.Want more resume objective examples? Check out our guide:20+ Resume Objective ExamplesUse Them On Your Resume (Tips)3Describe Your Job Experience on an Event Coordinator ResumeDamn. That was the best event Ive ever attended!Thats not just what youd wish guests and clients to say after their hangovers fade awayits also the reaction you want from the agency director after they conclude your interview.That means you'll have to deliverthe experience description on your resume in a show-stopping way.Heres how:Experienced Event Planner Job Description on a ResumeHere are two eve nt coordinator job description samples:RIGHTEvent Planning SpecialistApril 2014November 2017Hip Happenings, Miami, FLKey Qualifications ResponsibilitiesPlanned events while managing all event project elements within allotted time limits.Organized events by choosing best venues, catering, freelance staff, and MCs.Encouraged timely and relevant package upgrades for event clients as necessary.Key AchievementsReduced event planning time by 35% through new partnership with Logan Enterprises group of venues.WRONGEvent PlannerApril 2014November 2017Hip Happenings, Miami, FLKey ResponsibilitiesCoordinated events.Helped clients with venue selection.Solved event problems.When you see those two examples back to back, it's easy to see how terrible the second one is. Sadly, though, many prospective event planners pull a similar stunt.Always describe your past experience in detail, and never forget to include a numbered achievement.Tailoring your resume for event planners will not only help you find your ideal resume length, but it will also turn managers into believers: 6 Tips on How to Target Your Resume to a Job Description (Examples)Event Planner Resume With No Experience:Never planned an event before?Here's how to show them youre still a headlining act.RIGHTAssistant ManagerMarch 2012June 2017Conway Stores, Atlanta, GAKey ResponsibilitiesManaged store opening, closing, and other planning duties.Developed plans for promotional events on holidays and for seasonal sales.Assisted the general manager in all aspects of supervisory duties.Key AchievementsCreated summer-ending sales event which increased revenue by 30% for July and August.In this one, though you weren't an event planner, you listed those job responsibilities which make the most sense on a resume for event planner jobs.How to find the right achievements to put on a resume for event coordinators? Check out this guide: How to Put Achievements on a ResumeComplete Guide (30+ Examples)4Ensure Your Education Section Doesn't UnderperformLike a venue without a properly planned table arrangement, the education section takes up unnecessary space.False.Even if the event planner job you're applying to doesn't require an advanced degree, you still need to list your educational background correctly.Heres how to include a completed degree:BA in Hotel Event ManagementBoston University, Boston, MACompletion: 2013Still completing your degree in college?Heres how to list one still in progress:Majoring in Hotel Event ManagementPrinceton University, Princeton, NJExpected Graduation: 2022Only a diploma from high school for now?Do this:Stephen F. Austin High SchoolAustin, TXGraduated: 2018Pro Tip: Don't add your diploma from high school or a GED onto your event coordinator resume if you've completed an advanced degree.Would you like some more ways on how you can make the best use of your education section? Then check out: How to Put Your Education on a Resume [Tips Examples]5List Top Skills on an Event Coor dinator ResumeEvent planning skills are everything, but there's a right way and a wrong way to go about it.First, thoughHere are examples of basic event planning skills:Event Planning Skills for a ResumeEvent Planner Hard SkillsEvent Planner Soft SkillsEvent Management SoftwareAttention to DetailClient Database AdministrationTime Management SkillsEvent CoordinationCritical ThinkingVenue SelectionAnalytical SkillsCaterer ManagementTeamworkService OrderingCreative ThinkingProject ManagementProblem SolvingBudget ManagementCommunication SkillsFind the perfectresume keywords by browsing the event planner job description and the job requirements section to identify skills they're seeking.Add those to your event planner resume skills section.Corporate event coordinator resume job description skills and requirements:Degree in marketing, events planning, communications, or related field, or equivalent experienceThree years of events planning experience in a corporate environmentProven projec t management, analytical, and problem solving abilitiesAbility to manage all phases of multiple projects simultaneously and adjust to continuously changing responsibilities and priorities [2]Excellent verbal and written communication skillsExcellent organizational and interpersonal skills [3]Knowledge of word processing, spreadsheet, and graphics applicationsMarketing/communications experiencePrevious experience with Cvent and Salesforce [1]Proficient in Microsoft suiteHighly organizedExcels in a fast-paced atmosphereThat's an actual job advertisement for a corporate event planner. If you look at the highlighted phrases, it's clear what this employer is searching for in a candidate:RIGHTExceptional understanding of Cvent and Salesforce applications [1]Ability to multitask and manage all aspects of event planning process [2]Terrific teamwork and interpersonal skills [3]WRONGEvent planning softwareCorporate administrative skillsCustomer serviceIf you don't use the job requirements to your advantage, you risk your resume for event planning jobs looking generic and lazy.Want more tips for writing the perfect resume skills list? See our guide: 30+ Best Examples of What Skills to Put on a Resume (Proven Tips)6Include Additional Sections for an Effective Event Planning ResumeTo make your resume for event planner jobs more unique, add an extra section or two.Here are a few ideal additional sections to add to an event planning resume:Volunteer ExperienceDo you have any volunteer work under your belt? Not only does it make you look like a candidate for sainthood, but it doubles as even more work experience!Volunteering on a resume looks great, but only if list it correctly: How to List Volunteer Work on Your Resume [+Sample]Hobbies InterestsHobbies and interests on a resume can be tricky, because why would they care, right? However, if you choose the best passions or pastimes, they can really round out a dull events planner resume. Read our guide: 20+ Best Examples of Hobbies Interests To Put on a Resume (5 Tips)CertificationsMany event professionals become certified, as it's an industry standard. Here are a few ideas for your resume:RIGHTCertified Meeting Professional (CMP) Certification.International Live Events Association CSEP Certification.Global Business Travel Association GTP Certification.National Association for Catering and Events CPCE Certification.American Marketing Association Professional Certified Marketer (PCM).Professional certifications are proof you have the event planning knowledge and skills to do the gig right. Dont list them the right way, and you can kiss your chances goodbye: How to List Certifications on a Resume: Guide (+20 Examples)LanguagesAre you proficient in a foreign language? Adding that to your event planner resume earns you a standing ovation!7Always Include an Event Coordinator Cover LetterSuppose the job ad says, cover letter optional?Even so, include an event planner cover letter anyway.More than half of em ployers expect a cover letter to be attached, and they'll pass on a candidate without one.Here is how to write an event planning cover letter theyll just love:As with the resume, sort out the event planner cover letter formatting before you begin to write.Open the cover letter with a captivating introductory paragraph.Relay your top skills and experience, and include a numbered win.Explain why this particular event planning job is right for you.Close the cover letter with an eye-catching call to action.A great event planner cover letter that matches your resume will give you an advantage over other candidates. You can write it in our cover letter builder here.Here's what it may look like:See more cover letter templates and start writing.Still unsure how to write a compelling cover letter? Want to see examples of well-written samples? Read our guide: How to Write a Cover Letter [Complete Guide With Examples]Key TakeawayAs the joke goes, you adore spontaneity, as long as it is careful ly planned.Whether youre a career event planner or pursuing a party planner internship, if youve followed the plan in this guide, you should have a resume thats sure to get you an event planning job interview.Here's a recap on how to create an event planner resume:Format the event planner resume template prior to writing.Open with an intriguing summary or objective statement.Highlight your accomplishments and past job responsibilities.Document your academic background in the correct way.List your best skills which match what they're looking for.Add certifications, languages, or other extra sections to stand out.Always attach an event planner cover letter!Need ideas or help with the email part? Check out: How to Email Your Resume to Get More Job Offers (Examples)Do you have any questions on how to write an event planner resume? Not sure how to describe your event coordinator skills or achievements? Let's have a chat below, and thanks for reading!

Adding Connector to Your Personal Brand - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

Adding Connector to Your Personal Brand - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career Much of my joy from networking comes not from what new business I can generate (okay, that is fun), but from learning about what others do and how I can connect them to the ideas, people and resources that can help and inspire them. Generous and helpful Good networkers are generous with sharing information and resources because networking is not only about getting what you need, but helping others get what they need. My friend Dr. Barry Miller once said, “I may not ever need to know someone in Timbuktu, but someone in my network might.” Making referrals and recommendations on behalf of others is a critical activity in networking, and can help build the value of your personal brand. However, making connections is  probably something most of us don’t do enough of because we’re too busy with own issues. Neglecting your network? If you’ve been neglecting your network recently, particularly if you’ve been facing your own business or career challenges, take a moment and think about a connection you can make. Get plugged in and plug others Here are 4 ideas to get you started: Connect someone to a FRIEND: Have two colleagues who seem to be on the same wavelength and should know each other? Make the call. Arrange for the three of you to have lunch or get together for coffee. No obligation, no pressure, just a chance to introduce them and chat about what they have in common. Or leverage social media and make a quick Twitter intro (Twintro?). It takes just seconds of your time but could have a dramatic impact on their lives. Connect someone to a RESOURCE: Discovered an expert or service that can improve people’s lives? Spread the word. Earlier in the year on the advice of my friend Warren Whitlock, a book marketing strategist, I launched my own show on Blog Talk Radio. While Smart Networking Radio does help me promote my business, I’m actually having much more fun promoting my guests and helping them spread the word about their businesses. Connect someone to an ORGANIZATION: Involved in a networking group or non-profit cause that you feel strongly about? Share it with somebody. At a recent talk I gave, one of the participants was a new entrepreneur, six months into her business and looking to connect with other women business owners. I gave her the contact info for the National Association of Women Business Owners, where I had once served on the board of the New York City chapter. Connect someone to a CUSTOMER: Have you looked beyond your area of expertise to find out what else your customers might need to make their businesses more successful? Do it now. We can get so caught up in our own area of a project that we dont think beyond the visible boundary. But the more of a resource you can be to your customers and the more connections into their companies you forge, the more valuable you become to more people on the inside. When you become known as a connector, a go-to person within your network, your circle of influence grows. Everyone will want to ask you for a recommendation or be recommended by you. But always give generously and dont keep score. Youll be more effective at building a solid network when you keep your intentions pure. By thinking beyond your own immediate needs, particularly in challenging times such as these, you increase the value (and number of supporters) of your personal brand, you get help flowing through your network, and just like a boomerang, some of that help is sure to find its way back to you. Author: Liz Lynch is founder of the  Center for Networking Excellence and  author of Smart Networking: Attract a Following In Person and Online (McGraw-Hill, 2008).  She writes, speaks and consults to experienced professionals on  how to seamlessly integrate social media and traditional networking to save time and  accelerate results.

How to Recover When You Get Stumped in a Job Interview

How to Recover When You Get Stumped in a Job Interview Here’s the type of question that stumps people in job interviews.It is always the crazy, curveball interview questions. They are designed by the company to catch you, the job seeker, off guard.There is no way you could have prepared for it because no one ever heard the question before!Companies know the typical interview questions are too easy. The answers have been online for years. Well-rehearsed answers say nothing about you other than your ability to mimic.They want to know that you can solve problems without getting frustrated. They want to know you can think up ideas for solutions on the spot.You cannot prepare for these questions. So, here’s the best way to recover when one catches you off guard.Do Not Make Anything PersonalErase any thought in your head along these lines:“Why are they asking me that?” “Oh no. They are trying to trick me.” “This question is unfair. It has nothing to do with the job.”These are dangerous, toxic thoughts. They cause you to make th e process personal.Do not forget. Job interviews require preparation because they are not just given to anyone. They are not about you. They are about the company and whether you would be the best hire.Ask Your Own QuestionsDo you really think everyone knows everything all of the time? Your job interview is not an exam with right or wrong answers.Ask a question that shows the interviewer you are thinking: “Am I understanding your question right? You said [restate the question]. Are you referring to [tell them what you are thinking.]” This first requires listening to the question, not with intentions to reply, but instead to start a dialogue.It is ok to start a dialogue with the very people you hope to work with.Turn the Job Interview Into a Collaboration of IdeasThey threw the curveball question at you and it left you stumped.So, turn this opportunity around to show them how to collaborate while defending your capabilities.Here Is an Example of What Executives Can DoYou are an e xecutive with exposure to technology and a pro at mergers and acquisitions.The company asks you a question about the technology used behind a major acquisition you had once led. You are not an engineer. But you know you are a leader who has had hired them.Try this:State your ability to lead Acknowledge that you hired others to cover areas of your weakness State your results Invite the interviewers to brainstorm for a moment about a problem they currently have Share some ideas on how you would lead a team through this challengeRemind Them of Your ValueWhenever a question has you grasping for an answer, share a safe job story about your career accomplishments that the company will find valuable.Reveal something about yourself that they will not find online.Reveal the thing that will make you the company’s secret weapon.Question: “So, how would you solve the ongoing problem of [insert company dilemma].” Answer: “This very question reminds me of experiences I had solving the ver y same problem. I was once [reveal hidden amazing secret] and I had traveled the world to [insert how you learned to solve the problem].” The positive side of curveball interview questions that leave you stumped is that it gives you the chance to speak your mind a bit about why you applied for such a great job in the first place.

A Tough New Years Resolution Take My Own Advice! - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

A Tough New Year’s Resolution Take My Own Advice! - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career Have you ever noticed that some professionals give great advice which they don’t seem to follow?  There are brilliant physicians espousing healthful diets who are obese, esteemed Psychologists with multiple failed marriages,  admired spiritual leaders who act selfishly and politicians who lead double lives. Most of us who seek mentors find these inconsistencies unsettling. Is there value in advice if the teacher doesn’t live by his lessons? In my opinion, the lesson is distinct from the teacher’s life.  While there are some exceptional people who practice what they preach, its not surprising that this isn’t always the case. The value of a lesson is not dependent on whether or not the teacher lives by the lesson. Advice should stand on its own merit and not be tainted by the behavior of the advisor: no one is capable of upholding all truths. I suggest that one should always seek out the best teachers, doctors, spiritual leaders and mentors to strive for self-improvement by learning from them. Ideally, advice and wisdom should be evaluated on its own merit.  In this way, one can avoid the mistake of holding someone out to be more than they truly are; the person who delivers the advice may be seen as a messenger without bearing any responsibility as a role model. But when an expert assumes the position of a role model, people will naturally expect more of that person; in this case the expert has more responsibility to model the behaviors he teaches and not be surprised when his behavior is scrutinized. As an exercise for this New Year, I’ve decided to take a closer look at my own advice to see how much of it I can say that I’ve honestly integrated.  There are some virtues that I write about (and promote) because they are known to be traits of successful people.  I consider these valuable virtues to be traits that I aspire to acquire. For instance, I recently wrote about the power of speaking positively as a key to success.  I was inspired to write about this trait because I am currently working on speaking more positively myself; but like most of my readers, ALWAYS speaking positively is a high level of speech to achieve and with a lot of effort may become a life long pursuit. Speaking positively has become a meaningful challenge for me. Being grateful for challenges and seeing them as opportunities for growth, has helped me become a happier and more resilient person. My goal is to identify positive qualities and character traits that are known to help people achieve success and to model them as much as possible for my own clients, readers and family. This year I aim to provide fresh and useful advice to educate, inform and inspire readers and myself. The research and advice I share with readers are principles Im striving to integrate in my own life. I hope that Im able to be a role model in as much as Im willing to learn from my mistakes, embrace criticism, and persist in striving to give more than I take. I wish all of you a healthy, successful new year filled with positive new behaviors, major breakthroughs and inspiring role models!

Tips on Resume Writing For Changing Careers

Tips on Resume Writing For Changing CareersHere are some of the tips on resume writing that will help you have a much better chance of getting a job interview. The most important thing to remember is that your resume has to be different than any other job application out there. The skills you have will determine what type of job you are looking for.You can begin by looking at your skills and seeing if they match with what a company is looking for. If you can, write down what you know about a job and what you are looking for in a job. List all of the relevant experience you have that will help the employer to find you a job. Another thing to keep in mind is that a good resume should also showcase your work ethic.The last tip on resume writing for those who want to change careers is to take the time to know what kind of job you want. This is very important because it shows the employer that you are willing to work hard. You should then write down exactly what you want to do. There are many jobs that have little or no requirement for the skills you need to get the job. If you know what you want, you will be more likely to get that dream job.The next tip on resume writing for those who want to change careers is to do a lot of reading. Spend time researching what career paths are available to you and take the time to do some research. When you do a lot of reading, you will come across opportunities that are not mentioned on a standard resume.It is also important to focus on your resume. Look over it several times until you know exactly what you want to include in it. The more time you spend preparing your resume, the more likely you are to get that perfect job.Once you know what your goal is, it is time to start drafting your resume. You should start with a cover letter, which should consist of a basic description of yourself. Once you have your cover letter in place, you should then create a summary of the skills and talents you have that the employer will be inter ested in. Finally, you should create a job history statement to describe what you have done to advance in your career.The next tip on resume writing for those who want to change careers is to never stop working. While you are developing your resume, you should still make sure you have additional skills that employers will be interested in. This means that you should be always learning new things and keeping up with what is going on in the job market.The final tip on resume writing for those who want to change careers is to never take yourself too seriously. You will only be remembered for your skills and abilities when you can be fun and bubbly. This is the first thing you must remember when writing a resume.

5 Things You Need if You Want Your Resume to Be Seen

5 Things You Need if You Want Your Resume to Be Seen When you apply for a job online, your resume will be one of hundreds. Learn what you MUST do if you want your resume to be seen! Applying for jobs has become incredibly simple thanks to the Internet. Job board sites like Monster and Indeed make submitting your resume as easy as clicking “apply”. The problem? If it’s easy for you, it’s easy for everyone else, too. Many online job postings get hundreds or thousands of applicants. To help field those resumes, many companies use Applicant Tracking Systems, which have their own resume guidelines most people know very little about. With all of that competition, what can you do to stand out in the crowd? Make your resume your secret weapon! 5 Things You Need if You Want Your Resume to Be Seen 1. Simplicity The goal of your resume should be to get the most important information in front of a recruiter/hiring manager, and leave everything else out. You might think, “but what about that weeklong workshop I took on building butterfly habitats?”Chances are, that is not relevant experience to the job for which you’re applying. With each piece of information you add, ask yourself, “Is this relevant to this particular job?” The purpose of a resume is to get you an interview. Once you get that interview, you can tell the hiring manager all about your love for butterfliesâ€"or not. 2. Summary Statement A summary statement is the new and improved version of the objective statement. Where the objective statement describes your future goals and what you hope to bring to a company, the summary statement describes your accomplishments and the abilities you are bringing to the company. An example of a strong summary statement is, “Marketing Manager with over 10 years experience and extensive involvement in all aspects of marketing, including analytics, SEO and email marketing”. It helps you stand out from the crowd because it is the first part of your resume a recruiter/hiring manager will see. 3. Accomplishments List accomplishments rather than job duties below each position. Job duties make it seem as though you are content just going through the motions at work. You want to show the recruiter/hiring manager that you are willing to go above and beyond the expected duties. Listing accomplishments will help you get noticed by proving that you think in terms of goals, not tasks. Examples of accomplishments are: “Grew donor base by 30% over 4 years” and “Led team of 8 sales professionals in creating new relationships with 40 clients”. To develop your own accomplishments, ask yourself: How much money did I save the company? What resources did I maximize? How quickly did I achieve my team’s goals? You’ll be ahead of the game if you start gathering and keeping these numbers up to date before you leave your current job. Formatting your accomplishments can be a challenge, but putting them directly under your work experience generally works best. 4. Keywords Using relevant keywords throughout your resume is an important part of getting noticed. Keywords are crucial to getting through Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS). ATS are a software application used by most companies to sort and store resumes. Recruiters and hiring managers search for applicants in the ATS by keywords, similar to a search engine. For example, a recruiter/hiring manager might search “HTML” or “Java” to locate candidate resumes matching those skills. Adding a “Skills” section to your resume is a great way to create a hub for relevant keywords. Search the job posting to find the best keywords for each job. For more information about ATS, check out this article. 5. Customization This is a big one, and it relates to using keywords. It’s similar to filling out college applications; everyone warns you “make sure to change the name of the college in the generic essay you are sending to each school!” Customizing your resume for every job for which you apply is crucial. If you don’t, it could make you look lazy or uninterested in the job. Sure, it takes more time, but you will hear back more often than if you send the same generic resume to every company. Why? First, adding specific keywords from the job posting will help get past ATS. Second, it shows the recruiter/hiring manager that you are serious about your job search. By taking the time to customize your resume with a relevant summary statement, skills, and experience, you will actually be able to apply for fewer jobs and get more responses. Thanks for this guest post from James Hu of Jobscan James Hu is the founder and CEO of Jobscan, a web tool that helps you land more interviews by matching your resume to job descriptions. With nine years of technology product experience, he previously co-founded an award-winning transportation start-up and worked as product managers for Kabam Games, Groupon, and Microsoft. James grew up in Seattle and graduated from the University of Washington and he is determined to lead a team to build the best software for job seekers. You can follow James on Twitter and Jobscan on Twitter and  LinkedIn

Interview Follow-up - Pathfinder Careers

Human Resource Secrets for Application / Interview Follow-up - Pathfinder Careers Human Resource Secrets for Application / Interview Follow-up This week, I want to welcome Tony Deblauwe, founder of consulting firm, HR4Change.com. He manages www.workbabble.com, a blog that focuses on workplace topics. Tony is based in Silicon Valley and has over 15 years experience in corporate HR, leadership development, and talent management. I asked Tony a few questions about the job search process, specifically interviewing and follow-up, since so many job seekers are getting frustrated with the lack of response from employers when they send in an application. Here is what he had to say during our interview: DR: Thank you for joining us Tony. So the big question â€" why does it seem to take forever for applicants to hear back from employers after submitting their resume? TD: Well Dawn, unfortunately, it often has less to do with candidate fit as it does with internal recruiting processes. Many companies may be understaffed, requisitions suddenly go on hold, or just the way in which resumes coming in are vetted â€" it takes a long time to get through them. For bigger companies, they can rely solely on their applicant tracking systems that auto-select resumes based on keywords. Until they are chosen and move to the next phase, no emails go out to candidates beyond the receipt email. DR: Is there anything job seekers can do differently to avoid internal process issues? TD: Applicants should follow-up regardless of whether the company’s recruiting process is slow or disorganized. The key is to know when. Typically 1-2 weeks after initial resume submission is a good time to follow-up. If you don’t have a company specific email for job inquiries, call the main corporate line and ask to be directed to the recruiting or HR department. The main thing is to exercise patience and not automatically think because you didn’t get a call back in 24-48 hours you’re not a fit. DR: No offense Tony, but often HR and recruiting is the roadblock, or at least that’s the perception. TD: No offense taken â€" believe me I hear this all the time. That’s why it’s always good to have friends in HR because they know HR friends in other companies! Seriously though, while I agree that broken process and practices lead to poor follow-up behavior from companies, unless you have the name of the hiring manager, or a strong friend on the inside that can refer you, circumventing the departments that are in charge of sorting resumes and candidates will surely create more delays or roadblocks. DR: Let’s talk about getting a foot in the door. Someone gets the interview, thinks it went well, and then hears nothing. What then? TD: I always look at connection in the interview process. The connection not only for fit in a job but connection that it’s ok to call back in case schedules or other typical work “stuff” gets in the way. You can gauge that pretty quickly from body language. Interviewers who make a lot of eye contact throughout the interview, lean forward, start asking specifics about your work history â€" they tend to show a connection. People who read from the resume the whole time, don’t dive too deeply into your experience, or otherwise seem to convey they are interviewing you because they have to, offer no connection. This is a broad brush of course, but working with hiring managers and recruiters, I am an insider in terms of when the interview is a “show” versus a true rigorous approach to finding the right talent. The point is, after you establish the connection piece, and you don’t hear back, send a polite email or place a quick phone call to the recruiter and the hiring manager, reminding him or her of the pleasure you had in the conversation, and strong interest in the position. Believe me â€" most people don’t do that. They don’t get business cards or info, and they are stuck waiting for the email or phone to ring. In my career, I can count on my hands the number of people who actually sent a follow-up note. DR: What happens if you do that and still no response? TD: Well it’s still not necessarily a deal breaker, but at that point if you don’t get a courtesy call back you are probably not on the short list. The employer is finishing interviews with better qualified folks, but you were close so they don’t want to let you go just yet. While this is not a practice I condone from HR or recruiting folks, it does happen and you have to be patient and pursue your other leads. DR: Seems unprofessional and unfair TD: It does â€" but again people are busy and processes may be convoluted. It’s an excuse, but I look at it as an indicator. If a company doesn’t have a fluid process for recruiting, including courtesy in follow-up, they probably have problems with other business processes. It makes you think twice about how happy you might be in the company. DR: If a person does get a note that he or she is not a fit, especially after waiting a long time, should they bother to send a thank you note? TD: Absolutely. One thing I tell applicants is that your personal brand is important. It doesn’t matter what someone else’s ineffective behavior or conduct is. You operate to a high level of professional at all times. That means you send a pleasant email or a handwritten note â€" whatever you think in appropriate â€" but you send something to close the loop on your end. You never know, another job could come up and you get a call. I have seen it before. A friend of mine went through three rounds of interviews and heard nothing. He called, sent emails, and absolutely nothing was responded to. After three months, he got a call for another position in a different department. They acted fast; he came in, and after a few days was given an offer. That’s the thing â€" some departments in companies are better at recruiting than others. It’s not consistent and you have to expect these unorthodox actions to occur from time to time. Not that you should wait forever, but if it happens, don’t be surprised. DR: Do you have any other tips to share? TD: The main thing is not to get discouraged. After 9/11 people thought there were no jobs either. In many cases unemployment spiked worse than we saw in late 2008 and in 2009. If you have a plan for a targeted search then it’s easier to be flexible playing the waiting game with different employers. The market is picking up. I predict there will be a surge in jobs in Q2 especially in the technology and government sectors. Good talent is always hard to find, so stick to your guns and make an impact however you present yourself both in your resume and your interviewing skills. DR: Tony, thank you so much for your time and perspective on the job hunt process. Where can people get more information about you and your services? TD: Thank you Dawn. I can be reached via email at [emailprotected] and of course the blog at www.workbabble.com. For those in your audience who feel stuck in their job and can’t quit but have the added headache of reporting to a bad boss, check out my award-winning book, Tangling with Tyrants: Managing the Balance of Power at Work on Amazon. I’m on twitter at www.twitter.com/hr4change.