Resumes For Dummies

Title Page
Copyright Page
Introduction
	About This Book
	Foolish Assumptions
	Icons Used in This Book
	Beyond the Book
	Where to Go from Here
Part 1 Getting Started with Resumes
	Chapter 1 Getting a Job in the Digital Age
		Resumes Are Here to Stay
		Keeping Up with Resume Times
			Targeted resume rules
			Unfit resumes are zapped
			Tried-and-true techniques remain
		Technologies Facilitate Job Searching
			Social networking scoops jobs
			Mobile’s on the move
			Quick-change process customizes content
			Bios gain new importance as profiles
			YourName.com becomes vital
	Chapter 2 Enlisting Social Media
		The Sweeping Reach of Social Networking
		Eyeing the Big Three of Social Networking Job Searches
			LinkedIn focuses on professionals
			Facebook hands adults important search tools
			Twitter opens quick, slick paths to employers
		Making Sure Online Profiles Capture Your Best Side
			Let’s hear it for profiles!
			Not all profiles should be cheered
			Great tips for great profiles
		Writing Your Social Profile
			Summary section
			Specialties section
			Experience section
			Fine-tuning your profile
		Putting Your Best Face Forward
	Chapter 3 Going Mobile
		Earning New Rewards with Mobile Search
		Knowing When and Where to Stick to Home Computer Searches
		Powering a Mobile Search
			Choose job search apps wisely
			Watch type size and font
			Empower RSS to send job news
			Stay in the running with a rehearsed salary strategy
			Choose your work site with GPS
			Score with proven keywords
		Avoiding Mobile Job Search Mistakes
			Thinking technology overcomes poor resume quality
			Going on too long when going mobile
			Looking naive in following up
	Chapter 4 Leveraging Familiar Search Tools
		Plain-Text Resumes Are Still on the Scene
		Creating an ATS-Friendly Resume
		E-Forms: Fill in the Blankety-Blanks
		Online Screening Guards the Employment Door
			Sample components of online screening
			Pros and cons of online screening
			Can your resume be turned away?
		Blogs Give a Global Brand
		RSS Delivers Job Alerts on Your Time
		Resume Blasting: A Really Bad Idea
			Privacy and identity theft problems
			Overexposure to recruiters
			Going directly makes all the difference
			Making recruiters work for you
	Chapter 5 Checking Your Online Image
		Your Online Life Is an Open Book
			A look at the dark side
			A look at the bright side
		Cleaning Up Your Act
		Restoring Your Online Reputation
		Keeping Watch on Your Online Reputation
			Staying out of trouble online
			Looking like a champ online
		Look Who’s Talking . . . about You
Part 2 Pulling Together a Winning Resume
	Chapter 6 Selecting the Best Resume Format
		Resume Formats Make a Difference
		Reverse-Chronological Format
			Understanding the RC format’s strengths and weaknesses
			Deciding whether you should use the RC format
			Creating a reverse-chronological resume
		Chrono-Functional Format
			Understanding the CF format’s strengths and weaknesses
			Deciding whether you should use the CF format
			Creating a chrono-functional resume
		Hybrid Format
			Understanding the hybrid format’s strengths and weaknesses
			Deciding whether you should use the hybrid format
			Creating a hybrid resume
		Other Resume Presentations
			Resume letters
			Portfolios
	Chapter 7 Understanding the Parts of a Resume
		Breaking Down the Parts of Your Resume
		Leading with Contact Information
		Placing Your Job Target in the Objective Header
		Grabbing the Reader with the Summary Section
			Maximizing the summary section
			Selling yourself in your summary
		Matching the Job Target with Key Skills
			Hard skills
			Soft skills
		The Proof Is in the Experience
			Defining the parts of your experience
			Playing up target expertise
			When competencies come into play
		Education Makes the Grade
			Detailing your degree
			Featuring your certifications
			Listing your licenses
		Gaining Extra Points
			Activities
			Organizations and affiliations
			Honors and awards
			Endorsements
		Shaping Your Content on Application Forms
		Notable Content to Leave Off Your Resume
			Avoid addressing the salary question
			Hold off on providing your references
	Chapter 8 Making the Details Shine
		Getting Started by Gathering Data
		Compiling the Content for the Basis of Your Resume
			Starting with your employment history and responsibilities lists
			Going down the rabbit hole to identify challenges
			Showing how action and results overcame challenges
		Taking the Next Steps
			Considering other accomplishments
			Brainstorming your way to success
		Your Core Resume: Turning Your Data into Dynamite
			Assembling the bones of the resume
			Tackling your most recent professional or job-related experience
			Focusing on older positions
			Playing up other experience
			Building your brand in the summary section
		Polishing Your Core Resume to Hand Out in Person
	Chapter 9 Using the OnTarget Approach
		Is Targeting Your Resume Really Necessary?
		Why One-Size-Fits-All Never Works
			First-line human resume screening
			First-line computerized resume screening
			Final destination with decision-maker
		Taking a Custom Approach
			Drawing words from job descriptions
			Using crossover language to be OnTarget
Part 3 Resume Strategies to Wow Them
	Chapter 10 Working Wonders with Wow Words
		Bringing Good News with Wow Words
			Wow words for administration and management
			Wow words for communications and creativity
			Wow words for sales and persuasion
			Wow words for technical ability
			Wow words for office support
			Wow words for teaching
			Wow words for research and analysis
			Wow words for helping and caregiving
			Wow words for financial management
			Wow words for many skills
		Helping Recruiters Find You
			Keywords for administration and management
			Keywords for banking
			Keywords for customer service
			Keywords for information technology
			Keywords for manufacturing
			Keywords for human resources
		Finding Keywords
		Using Keywords
		Getting a Grip on Grammar
		Focusing on Spelling
	Chapter 11 Refining Your Design
		Leaving Space
			Measure your margins
			Balance blank space
		Employing Basic Design Elements for a Readable Resume
			Come on, break it up! Avoid blocky text
			Group content under a job description
			Draw attention with text boxes, charts, and graphs
			Create eye-catching headers
			Have fun with fonts and font styles
			Consistency, consistency, consistency
			A few more tips on appearance
		Tips for Printed Resumes
	Chapter 12 Opting for a Creative Resume
		Understanding Why Creative Resumes Are Game Changers
			Defining creative resumes
			The yes and no of creative resumes
		Using Design Strategies That Pop
			Lines and shading
			Text boxes
			Charts and graphs
			Monograms and logos
			Graphics and icons
	Chapter 13 Dealing with a Major Life Change
		Scoring Big with Your First Gig
			Promoting your strengths
			Recognizing your rookie soft spots
			Demonstrating how recent graduates add value
			Avoiding gaffes common to new graduates
		Moving Beyond “Too Old” to “In Demand”
			Selling your strengths as a seasoned worker
			Busting myths about seasoned workers
			Tips for the seasoned worker
			Taking a lower-level job
			Watching out for gaffes common to seasoned workers
		Moving from Military Work to Civilian Employment
			Highlighting your military strengths
			Identifying potential strikes against you
			Tips for transitioners
			Getting the message about milspeak
	Chapter 14 Overcoming Career Roadblocks
		Navigating Job Gaps
			Viewing a gap as a good thing
			Minding the gap
		Returning to the Workforce after Being a Caregiver
		Seeking a Job When You Have a Disability
			Deciding whether to disclose a disability
			Explaining gaps in work history
			When substance abuse is the problem
		Seeking a Job When You’re an Ex-Offender
			Negative info kills your chances
			Avoid the chronological format
			Present prison experience in nonprison terms
			Get help with job search moves
		Addressing Experience Dilemmas
			Too much experience in one job
			Too little experience
		Addressing Situations Not in Your Control
			Several layoffs
			Mergers and acquisitions
		Handling Red-Flag Circumstances
			Demotion
			Job-hopping
			Concurrent positions
			Self-employed or family-employed
Part 4 Bringing It All Together with Sample Resumes
	Chapter 15 OnTarget Resumes by Industry and Career Field
	Chapter 16 OnTarget Resumes by Experience and Age
	Chapter 17 OnTarget Resumes for Special Circumstances
	Chapter 18 Award-Winning Creative Marketing Resumes
Part 5 The Part of Tens
	Chapter 19 Ten Ways to Improve Your Resume
		Match Your Resume to the Job
		Use Bulleted Style for Easy Reading
		Discover Art of Lost Articles
		Sell, Don’t Tell
		Show Off Your Assets
		Make Sure Your Words Play Well Together
		Reach Out with Strength
		Trash a Wimpy Objective
		Deliver the Right Document
		Erase the Leave-Outs
	Chapter 20 Ten Ways to Increase the Odds of Landing a Job
		Send Your Resume in the Right Tech Form
		Don’t Chase Every Job
		Hit the Bull’s-Eye with Your Resume
		Move Fast, Follow Guidelines
		Neutralize Chilling Information
		Go Directly to the Hiring Manager
		Find an Inside Advocate
		Keep on Keepin’ On
		Find It on Company Websites
		Use Job Boards with Caution
	Chapter 21 Ten Tips for Choosing Professional Resume Help
		Choose a Resume Writing Service, Not a Clerical Service
		Zero in on Certified Professionals
		Request a Free Initial Consultation
		Evaluate the Writer’s Resume Samples
		Ask for References
		Watch Out for an Overuse of Forms
		Identify Generalists and Specialists
		Look for a Fair Price
		Take Aim
		Know That a Cheap Resume Is No Bargain
	Chapter 22 Your Ten-Point Resume Checklist
		Qualifications
		Image and Focus
		Format and Style
		Accomplishments and Skills
		Language and Expressions
		Content and Omissions
		Length and Common Sense
		Social Media and Other New Things
		Sticky Points and Sugarcoating
		Proofreading and More Proofreading
Appendix: Directory of Resume Writers
Index
EULA