We want to help you be successful in landing that job interview, and help with landing the job. Here are some basic tips that can help you to be successful when looking for a job from home.
USE KEYWORDS FROM THE JOB AD
Many online applications are not hand picking your resume because you have years of experience or qualifications. They are using a program to scan for key words. By using key words from the ad, this can increase your chances of your applications being pulled. If the ad says “seeking independent individuals that work with little or no supervision”, then you can put that you are able to work independently or that you require no supervision etc.
KEEP IT SIMPLE, WATCH FORMATTING, AND CHECK FOR SPELLING ERRORS
Make sure that your resume is not overloaded with unnecessary information. 1-2 pages is standard for most employers. Formatting your file as a word doc or PDF is usually best as most accept both forms. It is not needed to fill your resume with images or fancy fonts (due to most are not even looking at your resume, and auto scanners will reject most non formal fonts). Make sure you spell check everything to ensure correct spelling also. Remember to keep your font size at 11 or more. Also keep several versions of your resume on hand geared towards the type of job you are applying for; management, customer service, etc.
USE STANDARD HEADERS
Use common headers, such as “Work Experience” since other phrasing LIKE “Job Experience” may not be recognized by an Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) scanning resumes.
Not customizing your resume for ATS software. You can’t create one resume and expect it to pass for every job you want to apply for. At a minimum, you should be tweaking keywords for every job you apply for.
Remember, your first priority needs to be getting past ATS software. If your resume is too lengthy, too fancy, or doesn’t have the proper keywords, you don’t stand a chance at your resume making its way to human eyes. ATS software will spend approximately SIX seconds scanning your resume, so make it count.
VOLUNTEER WORK
Volunteer work counts as experience as well so post that volunteering you do!!
OBJECTIVE STATEMENT
It is no longer necessary to have an objective statement unless you are planning to make a career move. If you feel compelled to have something like an introductory, you could always put a summary statement.
FINISHING TOUCHES
Ditch references, they are not needed and will be asked for if necessary. Refresh it as needed as you move along in your career path!
Make sure you have correct phone number and a good email address on it. You won’t get the interview if they can’t contact you. The email address should be an appropriate one and not hotmomma69@email.com .
Some common questions
I do not understand cover letters. What are key points to include in one without oversharing
A cover letter should essentially be an extension of your resume. Cover letters are great for explaining gaps in employment, desires to change careers/industries, etc. My favorite cover letter format also has a "highlights" section that highlights 4-6 of the client most valuable skills that relate to the position they're applying for.
I've been a stay at home mom for over 10 years - what is the best way to fill in those 10 years on a resume? I've volunteered at my sons elementary school routinely, but no other substantial work.
This is something that's really good to mention in a cover letter. But as far as closing the gap on resumes, a lot of times I like to do something like this:
Stay at Home Mom (Dates Here)
Skills Utilized: Conflict Resolution, Scheduling, Time-Management, etc
Show the company what you gained during that time, if that makes sense.
I would like to switch from customer service to administrative duties. How do I identify keywords in my resume to make my customer service experience more fit for an admin position?
Most of the time, customer service and administrative duties are very similar. For the majority of customer service positions, you're already doing some variation of administrative functions, too. For administrative positions, I like to focus on some of the following keywords: data-entry, time-management, organization, prioritization, scheduling, written/verbal communication, documentation, correspondence.
I'm looking to apply for some work at home claims positions. What are some keywords on resume to use when applying for these types of jobs.
You will want to look at the job description in the employment ad adjuster, liability, compliance, insurance, risk assessment, policy, negotiation, etc. This is more dependent upon the specific position, though. They are using a program to scan for key words. By using keywords from the ad, this can increase your chances of your applications being pulled.
When writing a resume should we only put the most recent jobs we've had? I often feel like I have to many jobs on my resume.
The very general rule of thumb is no more than 5 jobs, and no more than 10 years back. This varies greatly depending on the client, the job history, the level of employment, etc.
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