Resume Writing - 2010s Number One Obsession

Resume Writing - 2010s Number One Obsession Resume Writing - 2010s Number One Obsession Resume Writing 2010s Number One Obsession Resume writing and applying for jobs is now an obsession for millions of jobseekers. The resume has never been more important as unemployment has hit 10%. There are, on average, 1.78 to 10 people for every job in America, depending on your location. Out of necessity and fierce competition, resume writing has reached an all-time frenzy. Why it is easy to become obsessed with resume writing In todays job hunting environment, it takes sometimes hundreds of applications before you land a job. If you are one of those who have applied the average number of times it takes to get a job these days, then you have written a small encyclopedia before you achieve success. Particularly in the case of applying for federal jobs, just think of all the different resumes you have to prepare: Basic Federal Resume in USAJOBS Format First we start off with your basic federal resume, which should be two to four pages in length. Tailored USAJOBS Federal Resume with Keywords For each and every job opening you apply to, you modify your resume by picking up keywords from the announcement in order to create a resume that specifically addresses that particular job opening. If you apply to 200 jobs, you will have 200 tailored federal resumes. Click on graphic to see this full sample from Ten Steps to a Federal Job, 2nd Edition Paper / Formatted Federal Resume Some of the federal resume builders, such as applicationmanager.org will allow you to upload your resume, so the format can be formatted for readability and emphasisà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬similar to the private industry resume. Click on graphic to see this full sample from the Ten Steps to a Federal Job, 2nd Edition Networking Resume / Private Industry Resume For your network and references, you have a slightly shorter resume that features marketable skills, accomplishments and chronology that a recruiter or networking contact can read in seconds. Click on graphic to see this full sample from the Ten Steps to a Federal Job, 2nd Edition Job Fair Resume Your job fair resume is shorter with bigger type and includes a few simple objectives and most relevant skills. Click on graphic to see this full sample from the Jobseekers Guide, 3rd Edition Online Networking Site Your Linkedin or other web 2.0 site has to be updated regularly with all the new ideas you have gotten from your past interviews, friends or articles you read. Click on the graphic to see the full sample. Summary You have multiple versions, chronological, combination, and bio. Your resume formats will depend on your use: in-person, email attachments, uploads, copy and paste into a builder. Your readers may vary, including: your favorite references, network contacts, recruiters, and supervisors. Techniques for Tracking All Those Resumes As you can see, your collection of resumes could quickly get out of hand if you do not have a system for keeping track of and tracking the progress of the resumes. Keeping them organized will help you feel less overwhelmed about submitting hundreds of applications. The Names the Game Start by naming your resume with your last name_type of resume_objective_date. For instance: troutman_federalresume_programanalyst_1.2.10. This way, you can find your resumes, edit to create new versions, and update quickly. Create an Excel File Use a spreadsheet to keep your resumes and applications organized and named. Record which resumes and cover letters you sent for each application. The Excel file could also track: Date submitted; agency; location; job title; how submitted; application submitted; and follow-up activity. Follow Up If you submitted for a position that seemed very positive and was of great interest, you could follow-up in 3 weeks after your application. The employers are overwhelmed with applicants and maybe if you call or write, your name could stand out. You never know when you might be calling at just the right time. Stay in Touch With Your Network Write to your entire network on a regular basis to keep them up-to-date on your applications where their name was used as a reference. Be sure to ask them to look for opportunities or leads for you and write to you right away about new ideas for job searching. Good luck with your job search! ++++++++++++ Kathryn Troutman is the author of 7 books on federal resume writing, including Ten Steps to a Federal Job, 2nd edition, her latest on writing a competitive federal resume and producer of www.resume-place.com. She is also the author of the 50+ sample resumes in Resumes for Dummies, 5th Edition by Joyce Lain Kennedy. In todays job market resume writing is an art and can help an applicant land a job in either the federal or private industry.