“Hello, may I speak with Ms. Ineeda Job? Great, I wanted to let you know that your resume was very impressive and you blew us out of the water with your interview! We wanted to offer you the position and extend you a $15,000 sign-on bonus!” (Shakes Booty!!) “Would you like to accept?” “Definitely!” “Awesome, just one more thing before we make you official. I have one more point I would like to review with you.” “Yeah sure!” “APRIL FOOLS!”

Think how your jaw would drop if this was to happen to you! What would your next step be? How would you feel?

Good thing that is totally never going to happen, but think about how you can prepare yourself to lock in your job of choice. How do you prepare for applying to a job of your liking? Do you customize your resume to fit more closely to the job description? What about researching the company so that you show you are aligned with their values?

Customized Resume:

With going this route, you can be sure that if the application is being scanned electronically that your keywords will be picked up. Most times the applications are reviewed electronically before a person gets to place their eye on your application. Placing the keywords from the job description in your resume will be well worth the time and bring you a major return.

OUT WITH THE OBJECTIVE AND IN WITH THE SKILLS!

“Bye Felicia!” Replace that outdated objective box with a table of your skills! The objective box is no longer needed. We already know that you are looking for a job… that’s why you are applying. (Duh) With adding this skills table/list at the top of your resume, you are placing your most marketable skills right after your name and contact information.

Your skills should be 70% hard skills and 30% soft skills!

What the heck is a “HARD SKILL”?

A hard skill is basically what it says, something that is hard to learn and related to the profession. Meaning you have a special skill that not everyone has, so tell the company about them!

Still need an example?? No problem. Here is a list of hard skills that could get your brain juices flowing for what you may need to add to your resume.

Accounting	Foreign Language
Graphic Design	Machinery Operation (Fork Lift, Cranes…)
Java	Technical Writing
Project Management	Bookkeeping
Computer Skills (Excel, Access…)	Process Improvement

And a “SOFT SKILL”…?

A soft skill represents social values and personality traits. So all of the ingredients that make you… YOU!

But just in case you need some help bragging about yourself, here is a list to give you a push. (Thank me later.)

Collaborative	Self-Motivated
Dependable	Team Player
Creative	Communication
Leadership	Networking
Adaptability	Organization

Now do the Bunny Hop and get going with updating your resume.

Remember I am here to help you with this journey for your career, you are not alone. Book your Free 15-minute consultation to chat with me and discuss your career goals.

Feel free to take a look at my list of services.

Lets Brush it up with the Career Guru Touch!

J. Michelle