The Resume Makeover: 50 Common Problems With Resumes and Cover Letters - and How to Fix Them : 50 Common Problems With Resumes and Cover Letters - and How to Fix Them

Clear, quick, effective solutions to the 50 most common resume problems In this solution-oriented guide, bestselling careers author John J. Marcus zeros in on the 50 most common resume writing problems and offers easy-to-perform fixes for each. Among other crucial lessons, readers learn how to identify and deal effectively with job history problems, skill-set deficiencies, poor visual presentation, and formatting problems. A compelling feature that distinguishes The Resume Makeover from all the competition is its unique quick-reference, "Before & After" format. Each chapter focuses on one common problem and offers a proven solution, along with before-and-after documents illustrating how a few simple changes can significantly improve a resume. In addition, readers learn: How to write a resume in half the usual time Strategies for changing careers or reentering the workforce Key words and phrases to include How to write high-impact cover letters The five areas in which all recruiters and employers grade resumes, and how to ace each one Learn How To. Uncover And Correct Any Resume Or Cover Letter Weakness. Compensate For Any Gaps In Your Employment History. Present Your Skill And Experience In The Best Light. Pt. I. Writing Your Resume And Cover Letters -- 1. What This Book Is All About -- 2. Creating Your Resume -- The Experience Section -- The Education Section -- The Secondary Section -- The Introductory Section -- Resume Mechanics -- 3. Writing High-impact Cover Letters. Pt. Ii. Fixing The 50 Common Problems In Writing Resumes And Cover Letters -- Problems With Presenting Work Experience In Resumes -- 1. Omitting An Introductory Section -- 2. Writing Too Lengthy An Introductory Section -- 3. Using A Typical Introductory Section -- 4. Stating Responsibilities, Not Accomplishments -- 5. Stating Accomplishments Only In General Terms -- 6. Placing Most Important Accomplishments At End Of Discussion Of Experiences -- 7. Presenting Work Experience In Chronological Order -- 8. Providing Only Job Titles, With No Discussion Of Activities -- 9. Providing Only Job Functions, With No Discussion Of Activities -- 10. Offering Too Much Information On Employers, Responsibilities, And Activities Performed -- 11. Providing A Narrative Discussion That Summarizes An Entire Career -- 12. A History Of Job Hopping -- 13. Numerous Periods Of Unemployment -- 14. Stating Reasons For Each Job Change -- 15. Being Close To Or Past Retirement Age --^ 16. A History Of Unrelated Positions -- 17. Lacking The Experience A Position Traditionally Requires -- 18. Required Experience Appears In An Early Job -- 19. Recent Decreases In Responsibility -- 20. The Resume Contains An Embarrassing Position -- 21. Dividing Key Accomplishments Between Resume And Cover Letter -- Problems With Clarity And Word Choice In Resumes -- 22. Failure To Discuss Accomplishments In Statements Beginning With Action Verbs -- 23. Word Repetition, Especially In Beginning Statements -- 24. Using I And My, Especially To Begin Statements -- 25. Beginning Statements In An Inconsistent Way -- 26. Continuous Use Of Clichés And Buzz Words In Introductory Section -- 27. Using Unclear, Confusing, Or Generally Poor Language -- 28. Making Rambling Statements Versus Crisp, Concise Ones -- Problems With Composition/appearance/formatting In Resumes -- 29. Four Or More Pages In Length -- 30. Insufficient White Space --^ 31. Lacking Bold Type To Highlight Key Parts Of The Resume -- 32. Excessive Use Of Bold Type -- 33. Using A Fancy Font -- 34. Using Multiple Fonts -- 35. Using Extra Large Type -- 36. Using Too Small Type -- 37. Writing A One-page Accomplishments-focused Resume -- 38. Experience Presented In Paragraph Form And Without Bullets -- 39. Utilizing A Two-column, Multiple-font Format -- 40. Utilizing The Functional Format -- 41. Utilizing The Accomplishments Format -- 42. Placing A Border On A Resume -- Cover Letter Problems -- 43. Writing Too Brief A Letter -- 44. Omitting Accomplishments And Stating Only Responsibilities -- 45. Writing A Letter Devoid Of Enthusiasm -- 46. Beginning A Letter With Philosophical, Global Statements -- 47. Providing A Career Summary In Chronological Order -- 48. Offering A Narrative Presentation With Excessive Use Of I And My -- 49. Focusing On Personal Needs, Not On Value Being Offered -- 50. Writing A Two-page Letter. John J. Marcus. Includes Index. While the right resume and cover letter are crucial to getting the job you want, the wrong resume and cover letter will definitely keep you from your dream job. The Resume Makeover's unique problem-solving approach helps you zero in on the critical aspects of these essential job-hunting tools, minimizing your resume weaknesses and amplifying your resume strengths. Renowned career coach and resume writer John Marcus identifies 50 common resume and cover letter problems and shows you how to solve each one. You'll learn how to overcome such problems as gaps in your employment history, frequent job hopping, and deficiencies in your skill set. You'll also discover how to maximize your resume's visual impact and describe your work experience in crisp, powerful language. Complete with stunning before-and-after examples that demonstrate the tremendous value of a few simple changes, The Resume Makeover is your key to removing employment roadblocks and filling your calendar with interview appointments. Clear, quick, effective solutions to the 50 most common resume problems "No matter how much you think you know about writing resumes, you'll learn something new. I'd recommend this book to anyone conducting or anticipating a job search."Laura Lorber, Managing Editor, CareerJournal.com In this solution-oriented guide, bestselling careers author John J. Marcus zeros in on the 50 most common resume writing problems and offers easy-to-perform fixes for each. Among other crucial lessons, readers learn how to identify and deal effectively with job history problems, skill-set deficiencies, poor visual presentation, and formatting problems. A compelling feature that distinguishes The Resume Makeover from all the competition is its unique quick-reference, "Before & After" format. Each chapter focuses on one common problem and offers a proven solution, along with before-and-after documents illustrating how a few simple changes can significantly improve a resume. In addition, readers