How to Create a Killer Resume

Resume

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Many people are looking for jobs and their resume is the first thing a potential employer will see. Now more than ever it is important to make a great first impression with your resume, because there are so many more people competing for the same job, due to the high level of unemployment across the nation. With these tips, you can create a killer resume and make a great first impression, possibly landing you a better job than what you had before!

Research and Study

The first thing you want to do is get online and research the current trends in resume styles and forms. There are many free websites with resume writing tips and samples. Choose a style that is clean and easy to read.

Sections of a Typical Resume

A typical resume will include, from the top of the page, an objective section or mission statement, work experience section, education section, a list of specific skills, a list of any awards or certificates, and then references at the end.

Gather Your Work History

Gather information about your work history. You’ll need company names, dates of hire, dates that you left the companies and your responsibilities in each job. This may seem easy at first, but as you start going back in years, the dates start to get fuzzy. You will list your work experience with the most recent job first.

Keep it Simple

Ideally, a resume should be all on one page. Some people will go to two pages, but that really is the limit. You may not be able to fit all of your work history onto one or two pages, so only include what will fit. Your job history will be the biggest section. Highlight your responsibilities at each job; this is the time to really sell yourself. Potential employers want to see what you can do. Go ahead and brag!

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You Might Need to Change Your Career

There have been many industries hit hard by the recent recession, causing a rise of unemployed individuals. If you were laid off and are having trouble getting a new job, it might be time for a career change. This is especially true if you were working in the construction, real estate, and financial industries. Or, perhaps you have a job but you are just burnt out and need a change. Another reason to change your career is if you are in a dead-end job with no room for you to move up the corporate ladder.

The thought of changing careers sounds scary to many people, but it doesn’t have to be. With a little planning, you can very easily and very quickly get a great job in a totally different career field. The most important thing is to decide what you want to be. Think about how you answered that question when you were a kid. You might be surprised to realize that you still like the idea of having that same career. If not, start doing some searching.

Get online and look at current job postings to get a feel for the industries that are doing well in this poor economy. This will give you an idea of which careers are more stable and long lasting. As you look at the job postings, think about whether any of the jobs are appealing to you. Picture yourself working in that industry for the rest of your life.

Next, consider schooling. Will you need to earn a degree or certificate to get a job in your desired field? Will your current skills carry over to your new desired career choice? Decide if you are able to get schooling, perhaps taking classes part time in the evenings or weekends or completing online courses. If you do not feel you will be able to commit to school, then go back to the beginning and pick another career.

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GMAT Prep Course Tips

There are hundreds, if not thousands of GMAT prep courses, both online and off, available to people looking to enroll into business school. Combine the sheer number of programs available with the fact that GMAT exam scores are one of the most important factors of the business school application, and the entire process can become stressful. With these tips, GMAT prep courses will not seem so scary.
First, take a free GMAT practice exam. There are many available online and can be found with a simple Google search. Taking a practice exam before you even start preparing for the exam will help you to gauge your academic strengths and weaknesses. Then, you can use that information to find a prep course that matches your specific needs.
Next, decide on how you are going to prepare for the GMAT exam. There are many options available, from self studying using online references and practice tests to online courses to traditional classroom instruction. Some people even hire private tutors. You need to choose the best format that will fit your needs and provide you with an optimum learning experience. Those employed on a full-time basis may prefer self-paced, GMAT class online, while others learn and retain information best in a classroom environment. Only a small percentage of people are willing to completely study for the exam on their own.
Finally, take a free GMAT practice exam. Actually, take a bunch of them. The more practice you get, the better your scores will be. That’s why it is listed here twice. Even if you are relying on outside sources for GMAT preparation, take it upon yourself to do extra studying on your own. GMAT exam scores are so important to getting into the business school of your choice, which you want to do all that you can to earn the highest score possible.
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Is an Online Undergraduate Program for You?

Today’s job market is tough for those looking for work, but it’s an employer’s dream. Companies have few positions that need to be filled and a multitude of applicants wanting to fill them. This allows employers to become more strict and particular in their selection process. Companies are looking for the best people to fill vacancies and more often than not, they are searching for college graduates. To keep in the running for any job, a college education is more than an asset–it’s critical.

Any college degree will open opportunities up to you and help make a good impression on a potential employer. Earning an undergraduate, or Bachelor’s, degree is more beneficial than an Associate’s degree and can be obtained in just a few years. An undergraduate degree requires between 120 and 128 credit hours, with a portion of those being dedicated to your major. The two most popular types of Bachelor’s degrees are the Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts. A Bachelor of Science has more coursework in science and math and a Bachelor of Arts has more coursework in arts and humanities. Whatever type of undergraduate degree you obtain, there are many undergraduate programs available. From business management and criminal justice to nursing and art and design, there are dozens of programs from which to choose.

One of the latest methods for obtaining an undergraduate degree is through online undergraduate programs. Online programs allow students to study in the comfort of their homes according to their schedule. Online study enables students to learn at their own pace; students can skim over subject matter they learned before and focus on newer material that might be a bit more challenging. Communication with teachers and peers will be a part of the experience, though it will all be done over the Internet instead of in person. Whether you pursue an online program or enroll at your local university, get started towards a brighter future.

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