Q. I have a lot of technical skills, with certifications in several software programs, but employers always want more. How can I convince them that I am fully capable of learning those skills quickly and becoming the expert they want? A. Many companies are guilty of asking for an impossible set of technical skills in their ads, job postings, or directions to recruiters. At Robin’s Resumes®, we can align technic...

The other day I was working with a client who started a comment with “I don’t like to brag but….” I laughed and told her that her resume was one place where she should never worry about bragging. A little bit of bragging goes a long way in making your resume stand out from the competition. What type of bragging is most beneficial on a resume? Exceeding goals. Your company set a goal of a 5% in...

Anyone who has job searched in a technical field—engineering, IT, software development and so on—knows about unrealistic expectations. Many job postings, advertisements and calls from recruiters involve a list of desired technical skills that could take two lifetimes to accomplish. Yet, you still need all the required skills for that exact job posting. This level of unrealistic expectations is just one way th...

Before you sign up with any resume writing firm, you should ask these five essential questions: Can I see examples of your work? Chances are, if you do not like what you see in the past examples, you will not like the resume they prepare for you. How long have you been writing resumes? While length of time as a resume writer is no guarantee of quality, you do not want to trust your resume to someone who is comple...

I’m sure you expect that as a resume writer, I will absolutely and unconditionally tell you that resumes are still relevant. However, I have a caveat: they are now relevant at a different stage in the job search process than they used to be. Here’s what I mean. In the past, the resume was the only way (other than physically showing up) to join the queue for a job opening. Even if you did physically show up, y...

Strategic talent development has several aspects: the ability to mentor others, the leadership and other soft skills required to advance oneself, and the perspective needed to see talent gaps in an organization. If you are applying for a job in middle to upper management—up to and including the C-level—your resume must reflect your abilities in strategic talent development and management. First, strategic tal...

In 2017, look out for the following resume trends in social media, content, soft skills, and contact information. Social Media: Social media has become more important than ever during a job search. While I have stated it before, let me repeat the five golden rules for social media use during a job search: Delete from Facebook, Twitter, or any other site those pictures and posts that show your nonprofessional side, in...

You should never put your salary history or compensation demands on your resume. Many online applications require salary history but that requirement shows signs of fading away. Job applicants often feel on the spot when asked to provide information about their current salary and their salary history. They believe the company is trying to save money by basing the salary not on what the position deserves or on the salary...

Question: “I’ll be graduating college in January. If I use a professional resume writer, I’m afraid I’ll look self-important and as if I’m exaggerating my skills. Would I be better off writing my own resume?” Answer: As a professional resume writer, I have helped many recent graduates create winning resumes. Many college graduates fluctuate between being over-confident and under-confid...

Creativity in a resume does not mean that you wrap your resume around a champagne bottle and mail it to the CEO; it doesn’t mean that you create a YouTube video where you rap your resume; it doesn’t mean designing a resume with twenty fonts and sixty colors. Very few organizations and no computerized applicant tracking systems are geared up for that kind of creativity. So how do you show creativity on your re...