Resumes and Cover Letters

Advice from Alan Carniol and Lisa Rangel by David Marwick, KempMillJobAssist March 21, 2024 The “best” format for your resume—a marketing document designed to interest an employer in interviewing you—is a moving target because it changes over time. At the end of this article, we list two resume features that were once standard, but are now considered outdated. Here are two short podcasts, from well-established career coaches, on how best to format your resume to grab an employer’s attention. Alan Carniol:  11 Ways to Upgrade Your Resume In a 6-minute podcast, Alan Carniol identifies “11 Ways to Upgrade Your Resume.”  Here’s the list: 1. Your resume has one job title at the top, the name of the job you want. 2. You identify the specific skills that are most important for this job title. 3. Your resume highlights the specific skills for this job title. 4. You cut out experiences that are not relevant to this job title. 5. You explain each job at each company. 6. You highlight what you accomplished in your jobs. 7. You use numbers and details. 8. You trim out the fat. 9. Everything is up to date. 10. Make the formatting look nice and be easy to read. 11. Check the spelling and grammar You can access the video at: Alan is the founder of www.InterviewSuccessFormula.com You can learn more about him at: Lisa Rangel:  2 Quick Resume Fixes To Attract Recruiters’ Attention In a 4-minute podcast, Lisa Rangel identifies “2 Quick Resume Fixes To Attract Recruiters’ Attention.” They are: 1.  Put the title of your target job at the top of your resume, under your contact information. 2.  Under the title, include two key achievements that relate to the target job. You can access the video at: Lisa is a former recruiter and the founder of www.ChameleonResumes.com You can learn more about her at: www.ChameleonResumes.com Outdated Resume Features First, it was once standard practice to include this statement:  “References available upon request.” This statement is unnecessary now, because it is assumed that you will furnish references if asked. Also, this statement uses space that can serve you better in marketing yourself to an employer. Second, it was once standard practice to include an objective statement. This also fell into disuse because such statements (1) tended to be generic and (2) used space that could serve you better in marketing yourself to an employer. If you have comments/questions about these resources, please email KMJobAssist@gmail.com

by David Marwick, KempMillJobAssist February 28, 2024 Applicant Tracking Systems, computer systems that scan resumes for keywords specified by an employer, have become an increasingly prominent part of the job-search scene. According to Coursera, “The vast majority of online job applications first go through an applicant tracking system (ATS).” Andy LaCivita, the founder of www.MilewalkAcademy.com and no fan, calls them Applicant Trashing Systems. Why do companies use an ATS? In the “good old days,” applying for a job was relatively costly to the applicant. You had to type, or at least copy, your resume, buy a stamp, address an envelope,  and snail-mail it to an employer. This required you to spend a certain amount of time and incur out-of-pocket expenses. Today, you can apply online with just a few keystrokes. Because it is so easy (and inexpensive) to submit an application, job seekers are far less choosy about where they apply, which means that employers sometimes receive a flood of applications. This shifts the cost burden to the employer, who will need to (1) pay people to do the initial screening of applications or (2) pay for an Applicant Tracking System to screen applications for certain keywords. How to navigate an ATS Because there are many such systems, it is hard to know exactly how to “defeat” them, but here is some common-sense advice from Candice White: You can read her January 2023 article, “Five Tips For Navigating Applicant Tracking Systems,” at https://jcsbalt.org/applicant-tracking-systems/ For further reading Rebecca Ahn, “What Are Applicant Tracking Systems and Their Best Practices,” January 8, 2024 (detailed article) Coursera Staff, “Navigating the Applicant Tracking System (ATS): A Job Guide,” Updated January 5, 2024 Indeed Editorial Team, “13 Best Practices for Beating an Applicant Tracking System,” updated March 10, 2023 Carol Henger, “ Beyond The ATS: How And Why To Target Your Resume,” February 2023, https://jcsbalt.org/targeting-resume/ Aileen Laqui, “How to Beat the Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS): 10 Best Practices” If you have comments or questions about this article, please email KMJobAssist@gmail.com

Introduction:  This compilation lists articles and podcasts, nearly all from 2022, on cover letters and resumes.  These articles and podcasts appeared in sources that we consider generally reliable, but we cannot vouch for each one. Cover Letters Finally, an Answer To: Are Cover Letters Still Necessary?, by Regina Borsellino, 12.15.20 https://www.themuse.com/advice/do-i-need-cover-letter What’s the Ideal Length for a Cover Letter? —Plus Tips to Get Yours There, by Regina Borsellino, 10/28/2022 https://www.themuse.com/advice/how-long-should-cover-letter-be How to Write the Perfect Cover Letter for an Internship (Plus, an Example!), by Lily Zhang, 09.18.20 https://www.themuse.com/advice/how-to-write-cover-letters-for-internship-example 7 Ways to Address Your Cover Letter That Aren’t “To Whom It May Concern,” by Stav Ziv, 01.26.22 https://www.themuse.com/advice/to-whom-it-may-concern-alternatives 7 Cover Letter Words and Phrases That Are Costing You the Job, by Aja Frost, 08.02.22 https://www.themuse.com/advice/5-common-cover-letter-phrases-that-are-losing-you-the-job The 3 Rules of Addressing Your Cover Letter in 2022, by Lily Zhang, 07.01.22 https://www.themuse.com/advice/the-3-rules-of-addressing-your-cover-letter How to write shorter–Short is good, by Allison Carter, June 23, 2022 Your Complete Guide to Writing a Cover Letter (Plus Bonus Tips and Examples), by The Muse Editors https://www.themuse.com/advice/how-to-write-a-cover-letter-31-tips-you-need-to-know Cover Letters Are Hard to Write—But These Templates Make It a Breeze, by The Muse Editors https://www.themuse.com/advice/the-perfect-cover-letter-template-to-show-off-your-skills Seven Steps To Writing Cover Letters Quickly And Effectively, by Caroline Ceniza-Levine, February 14, 2015 HOW TO WRITE A JOB-WINNING COVER LETTER [FREE TEMPLATES & EXAMPLES], by Austin Belcak, 01.31.22 5 Common Cover Letter Phrases That Are Losing You the Job, by Aja Frost https://www.themuse.com/advice/5-common-cover-letter-phrases-that-are-losing-you-the-job How to Write a Cover Letter: The All-Time Best Tips, by The Muse Editor https://www.themuse.com/advice/how-to-write-a-cover-letter-31-tips-you-need-to-know The Top-8 Writing Tips for 2022, by Ann Wylie, 01.04.22 http://prsay.prsa.org/2022/01/04/the-top-8-writing-tips-for-2022/ Resumes 7 Pointers for Making Your IT Executive Resume More Competitive, by Lisa Rangel, Dec 14, 2022 https://www.hellersearch.com/blog/7-pointers-to-make-your-resume-more-competitive How to Choose The Best Accomplishments for Your Resume (58-minute webinar–after that Q+A), by Andy LaCivita, 12.01.2022  How to Develop a Marketable Resume that Gets Interviews | What Recruiters Look for in Resumes (9-minute podcast), by Diana YK Chan, 2020 How to Determine How Far Back Your Resume Should Go (5-minute video), by Andy LaCivita, 12.13.22 Yes, You Can Put a Career Break on Your Resume. Here’s How, by Kristine Knutter, 12/1/2022 https://www.themuse.com/advice/career-break-resume-samples What Your Resume Should Look Like In 2023 (With Examples & Templates), by Jessica Holbrook Hernandez How Can I Make My Resume Stand Out in 2023?, by Jessican Holbrook Hernandez What Is Personal Branding On A Resume?, by Jessica Holbrook Hernandez 3 Tips to Freshen Up Your Resume in 2023, by Jessica Holbrook Hernandez How to Write a Masterpiece of a Resume, by the Rockport Institute https://rockportinstitute.com/resources/how-to-write-a-masterpiece-of-a-resume/ WATCH THIS BEFORE WRITING YOUR RESUME!, by Kamara Toffolo, 11.10.20, 7-minute podcast 125+ Words to Describe Yourself in a Job Interview, Resume, and More, by Regina Borsellino, 11.04.22 https://www.themuse.com/advice/words-adjectives-to-describe-yourself-list-resume-interview 8+ Best Google Docs Resume Templates—and How to Use Them, by Alyse Kalish, 10.12.22 https://www.themuse.com/advice/top-google-docs-resume-templates-how-to-use-them DM quibbles:  (1) At least some of the templates include street name/address.  This is not necessary.  (2) Before “Experience,” it is advisable to insert an adjective that describes your experience–for example, Accounting, Education, etc. How Many Bullet Points Should Each Job on Your Resume Have in 2022?, by Regina Borsellino, 10.14.22 https://www.themuse.com/advice/how-many-resume-bullet-points-per-job-on-resume How To Mention Unrelated Work Experience On Your Resume, by Jessica Holbrook Hernandez an Jenna Arcand, September 16, 2022 https://www.workitdaily.com/mention-unrelated-work-experience-resume Skilled Credentials:  Focus on skills, not degrees, to help increase your talent pool, by Kathryn Tyler, September 17, 2022 https://www.shrm.org/hr-today/news/all-things-work/Pages/skilled-credentials.aspx 11 Ways to Upgrade Your Resume, by Alan Carniol (6-minute podcast) What to Do When an Entry-Level Job Requires “Two Years of Experience,” by Jaclyn Westlake, 08.06.20 https://www.themuse.com/advice/what-to-do-when-entrylevel-positions-need-two-years-of-experience The Muse’s Free Resume Template Takes Stress Out of Job Applications, by Alyse Kalish, 08.19.22 https://www.themuse.com/advice/the-free-resume-template-thatll-get-your-foot-in-the-door Downloadable template: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1vH_qwt8fCQldhPsTyE9WtVtu9NFEKdP7h1XoX30OuaM/edit How Far Back Should Your Resume Go? Here’s How to Decide, by Yolanda Owens, 09.02.20 https://www.themuse.com/advice/how-far-back-should-resume-go Should You Use Canva for Your Resume? Here’s What You Need to Know, by Leto Papadopoulos, 07.01.22 https://www.themuse.com/advice/should-i-use-canva-resume? 185+ Action Verbs That Will Majorly Impress Hiring Managers, by The Muse Editors https://www.themuse.com/advice/185-powerful-verbs-that-will-make-your-resume-awesome The Ultimate Guide To Resumes, by Caroline Ceniza-Levine, September 27, 2021 9 Tips for Your Resume Email Subject Line (So Someone Actually Reads the Thing), by Stav Ziv https://www.themuse.com/advice/subject-line-resume-email 4 Ways To Turn Resume Fluff Into Marketable Facts, by Don Goodman and Jenna Arcand. 02.12.20 https://www.workitdaily.com/how-to-fluff-your-resume/1-don-t-rely-on-terms-that-describe-character-soft-skills 1. Don’t Rely On Terms That Describe Character (Soft Skills) 2. Use Numbers And Symbols 3. Don’t List Responsibilities Of Your Previous Jobs, Demonstrate Outcomes 4. Only Detail Specialized Technical Skills 8 Resume Writing Tips for 2022, by Jessica Hernandez, 03.16.22 https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/8-resume-writing-tips-2022-jessica-hernandez-cpbs-cdbs/ Every Question You Have About Putting Skills on Your Resume, Answered, by Lily Zhang https://www.themuse.com/advice/every-basic-question-you-have-about-your-resume-skills-section-answered Success statements show employers how you’ve added value at work, by Joel Garfinkle, 02.21.22 https://corp.smartbrief.com/original/2022/02/success-statements-show-employers-how-youve-added-value-at-work Is a Two-Page Resume Ever OK?, by Yolanda Owens https://www.themuse.com/advice/is-a-twopage-resume-ever-ok? HOW TO WRITE A RESUME THAT WINS A JOB IN 2022 [7+ FREE TEMPLATES & EXAMPLES], by Austin Belcak, 01.01.22 HOW TO WRITE A RESUME SUMMARY THAT WORKS IN 2022 (8+ EXAMPLES), by Austin Belcak, 01.01.22 8 Certifications That Actually Impress Recruiters, by Glassdoor Team, August 18, 2021 https://www.glassdoor.com/blog/certifications-impress-recruiters Why You Should Show Off Your Awards on Your Resume (and the Right Way to Do It), by Regina Borsellino https://www.themuse.com/advice/awards-on-resume-list-examples How—and When—to Include Projects on Your Resume (Plus Examples!), by Regina Borsellino https://www.themuse.com/advice/projects-on-resume-examples

Introduction:  This compilation lists articles and podcasts, nearly all from 2022, on old jobs and new jobs, younger workers and older workers, federal jobs, and other topics.  These articles and podcasts appeared in sources that we consider generally reliable, but we cannot vouch for each one. Old Job / New Job How to Politely Decline a Job Offer (With Example Emails), by The Muse Editors https://www.themuse.com/advice/how-to-gracefully-turn-down-a-job-offer 7 Email Templates You Need When You Start a New Job, by Kat Boogaard https://www.themuse.com/advice/email-templates-start-a-new-job The Cure for the Great Resignation: Hire Older Workers, by H. Dennis Beaver, May 9, 2022 https://www.kiplinger.com/personal-finance/careers/604647/the-cure-for-the-great-resignation-hire-older-workers 6 Ways To Avoid Burning Bridges By Leaving A Job, by Dawn Rasmussen and Jenna Arcand, October 27, 2021 https://www.workitdaily.com/avoid-burning-bridges-leaving-job 6 ways to figure out how much you should be getting paid—before negotiating your salary or a raise, by Jennifer Liu, Feb 2 2022 https://www.cnbc.com/2022/02/02/6-ways-to-figure-out-how-much-you-should-be-getting-paid.html Never Accept A Job Offer Until You Do This, by J.T. O’Donnell, January 10, 2022 https://www.workitdaily.com/do-before-accepting-job-offer/what-you-need-to-do-before-accepting-a-job-offer Younger Workers / Older Workers How to Job Search After Age 50 with Hannah Morgan (68-minute webinar), from Jobscan, 09.29.21 – The advantages of hiring older workers – 3 steps to finding a job after 50  – How to challenge common concerns and share your unique qualifications in an interview – How to express career gaps or career changes on your resume – A Q&A with job seekers just like you! Top 6 Skills Employers Are Looking for in Recent Grads in 2022, by Regina Borsellino, 11/8/2022 https://www.themuse.com/advice/what-employers-look-for-recent-grads-2022 Help wanted: No over-50s need apply, by Brett Arends, 09.17.22 https://www.marketwatch.com/story/help-wanted-no-over-50s-need-apply-11663169761 7 ways to overcome ageism in the workforce, by Sweta Regmi, 02.10.22 https://www.teachndo.com/post/7-ways-to-overcome-ageism-in-the-workforce 9 Websites That Help Older Workers Find Jobs, by Kenneth Terrell, March 3, 2022 https://www.aarp.org/work/job-search/info-2022/websites-older-workers-find-jobs.html Career Planning For Age 50s, 60s And Beyond – 5 Ways To Adapt Your Late-Career Strategy, by Carolne Ceniza-Levine, February 13, 2022  Top 7 Survival Tips For New Grads In The Workplace, by Dawn Rasmussen and Jenna Arcand, September 22, 2021 https://www.workitdaily.com/tips-for-recent-grads-workplace Employing Older Workers:  The pace of retirements picked up during the pandemic. Can employers entice these workers to come back?, by Joanne Sammer, February 5, 2022 https://www.shrm.org/hr-today/news/all-things-work/Pages/employing-older-workers.aspx Welcoming Back Formerly Retired Workers Can Help Ease Your Labor Crunch, BY REBECCA DECZYNSKI, 01.13.22 https://www.inc.com/rebecca-deczynski/labor-shortage-retirees-reentering-workforce.html Federal Jobs 10 Tips to Make your Federal IT Specialist Federal Resume Stand Out!, Rita Chambers, Nov. 1, 2022 https://resume-place.com/10-tips-for-federal-it-specialist-resumes/ What are Your Federal Career Goals for 2022?, by Kathryn Troutman, 01.03.22 https://resume-place.com/federal-career-goals-2022/ Other Want To Plan More Effectively? Try Using Paper, Study Says, by Dan Bigman What Should a Speaker Wear in 2023?, by Nick Morgan, 12.21.22 Free Tools For A Better Online Presence, by Hannah Morgan, October 28, 2021 https://careersherpa.net/free-tools-for-better-online-presence — Tools To Schedule Social Media Updates — Tool To Save Articles for Later — Tools to Create Visuals for Social Media — Places to Find Stock Photos — Screenshot Tools — Choosing the Correct Size Image to Share — Guidelines for How Often To Share On Social Media — Don’t Forget About Profile and Banner Images How To Work Stand Up Comedy Into Your Next Speech, by drjim, September 20, 2022 http://theaccidentalcommunicator.com/improve/how-to-work-stand-up-comedy-into-your-next-speech 9 Hacks to Help Nail Your Next Presentation, by Chris Kille, September 21, 2022 https://www.entrepreneur.com/growing-a-business/9-hacks-to-help-nail-your-next-presentation The Secrets To Great Project Management, by Jim Black, September 13, 2022 https://www.workitdaily.com/project-management-secrets/what-is-being-a-pm-anyway What Time Means To Speakers, by drjim, August 9, 2022 http://theaccidentalcommunicator.com/organize/what-time-means-to-speakers How Can You Add Some Glamor To Your Next Webinar?, by drjim, August 2, 2022 http://theaccidentalcommunicator.com/improve/how-can-you-add-some-glamor-to-your-next-webinar Learn How To Write Better Speeches, by DrJim, July 12, 2022 http://theaccidentalcommunicator.com/create/learn-how-to-write-better-speeches Well Done!’ — How to Get Your Boss to Love Your Presentation, by Gary Genard, Jul 03, 2022  https://www.genardmethod.com/blog/well-done-how-to-get-your-boss-to-love-your-presentation How to Be a Smarter Presenter When It Comes to Using PowerPoint, by Gary Genard, June 5, 2022 https://www.genardmethod.com/blog/how-to-be-a-smarter-presenter-when-it-comes-to-using-powerpoint 7 Extremely Clear Ways to Tell Someone “No,” by Steve Calechman https://www.fatherly.com/life/how-to-tell-someone-no Persuasion, Hollywood style–how leaders can enhance their persuasive skills by mastering the craft of the pitch, by Theodore Kinni https://www.strategy-business.com/blog/Persuasion-Hollywood-style 5 Easy Tricks to Beat Procrastination You Should Start Today, by AMANDA PRESSNER KREUSER https://www.inc.com/amanda-pressner-kreuser/5-easy-tricks-to-beat-procrastination-you-should-start-today.html What Can A Speaker Do To Be Remembered?, by Jim Anderson, May 10, 2022 http://theaccidentalcommunicator.com/improve/what-can-a-speaker-do-to-be-remembered Yale researchers have a formula for getting in the flow, by Bill Hathaway, April 26, 2022 https://news.yale.edu/2022/04/26/yale-researchers-have-formula-getting-flow 6 Pro Tips For Writing Copy That Sells, Marisa Murgatroyd, 04.22.22 11 Simple Work Tech Hacks That Will Make Your Whole Life Easier, by Monica Torres, Mar. 17, 2022 https://www.huffpost.com/entry/tech-hacks-productivity-automate_l_6230bf1ce4b0e01d97b18cb1 5 easy habits that will make your job better, by Karen Burns, Jan. 9, 2020 https://www.seattletimes.com/explore/careers/5-easy-habits-that-will-make-your-job-better/ How to get more done by doing less, by Gwen Moran, 01.07.20 https://www.fastcompany.com/90448476/how-to-get-more-done-by-doing-less Putting Ideas into Words, by Paul Graham, February 2022 http://www.paulgraham.com/words.html Feeling Confused, Overwhelmed, or Lazy? Maybe you’re just scared. Here’s how to break free from procrastination.  by Tonya Lester, February 16, 2022 https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/staying-sane-inside-insanity/202202/feeling-confused-overwhelmed-or-lazy Avoid these 8 PowerPoint mistakes, by Dawn Wotapka, February 3, 2022 https://www.journalofaccountancy.com/news/2022/feb/avoid-these-8-powerpoint-mistakes.html 5 Copy-and-Paste Calls to Action You Can (and Should) Use in Your Emails, by Kat Boogaard https://www.themuse.com/advice/call-to-action-example-templates-for-emails The rise of the 15-minute meeting — and how to run one, by Lucy Handley, 01.25.22 https://www.cnbc.com/2022/01/25/the-rise-of-the-15-minute-meeting-and-how-to-run-one.html This Is the Email to Send When You’re About to Miss a Big Deadline, by Sara McCord https://www.themuse.com/advice/this-is-the-email-to-send-when-youre-about-to-miss-a-big-deadline Fix These 4 Common Barriers To Daily Planning, by Alexis Haselberger https://www.alexishaselberger.com/news-notes/the-best-way-to-end-your-day 5 Biggest Mistakes in Virtual Meetings, BY KELLY DECKER, 01.04.22 Creating A Tagline That Packs A Punch, by Lisa Perry, January 10, 2022 https://www.workitdaily.com/creating-a-good-tagline/listen-to-the-article

Great resume tips for 2023 from The Muse by David Marwick, KempMillJobAssist 02.08.23 The Muse has compiled a list of 43 tips to help make your resume friendly both to humans and to computers (that is, Applicant Tracking System software). What is The Muse?  The company says it “helps people navigate their entire career journey. We offer expert advice alongside a job search experience that’s engaging….” For more on The Muse, go to  — the company’s website, https://www.themuse.com/ or  — its LinkedIn page, https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-daily-muse/about/ The tips provide a wealth of information in the following eight areas: You can find the article, “43 Best Resume Tips for Landing a Job in 2023,” at  https://www.themuse.com/advice/43-resume-tips-that-will-help-you-get-hired