A series of free, online Q&A sessions about job search topics Resumes, Interviewing and Networking Hosted by Marie Raperto October 18, 2012 A Google+ Hangout On Air Event

1. Marie Raperto, President, CIM Search & Blogger, The Hiring Hub

2. A series of free, online Q&A sessions about job search topics
Resumes, Interviewing and Networking
Hosted by Marie Raperto
October 18, 2012
A Google+ Hangout On Air Event

3.  Differences between a “CV” vs. “Resume” (Click here to download CV template)
 Discussion about the changes in resume writing. Due to the influx of
resumes and responses to job openings, hiring managers are inundated
with resumes. This means that the savvy job applicant needs to create a
very targeted, easy-to-read resume. What should go on it, how should it
look, how should you position yourself, why isn’t your resume working.
 Your resume is your AD. It needs to tell someone enough about you so
they want to learn more. It’s a fine balancing act that requires focus and
attention to detail on your resume.
 Your online activity makes a HUGE IMPACT on your personal
brand. Your online activity–ranging from Facebook posts to a personal
blog–all need to be factored into your resume. Your online activity must
be well-managed. It’s part of your brand and is factored into any review
for a potential job opportunity.

4. An open job equals many, many resumes. Every resume has the opportunity to land someone a job and every resume has the chance of being
thrown away. With statistics showing that only 1 percent of resumes are effective, writing a well-crafted one is essential. You need to know
the pitfalls and how to avoid them. The goal–to get your resume into the hands of a prospective employer. If you’re the employer, looking
for the ‘right’ person, the goal is to find a resume that really “speaks to you”. The resume that answers your questions. The one that
says “I’m your person.”
Here are some tips to help you craft a strong resume:
It’s an advertisement for you, not your autobiography. You want a particular job; your resume is your chance to call attention to you and
what you’ve done. Some people believe resumes should be one page because they want to see a quick glimpse of you. While I don’t believe
in one-page resumes, you must be careful to be specific, concise and to the point. You want the hiring manager to want to learn more about
you. No gimmicks please. Gimmicks may get attention but they won’t make up for a sub-par resume.
Formatting is important. It makes your resume easier to read/scan and it provides the reader with a roadmap to follow – all your titles, dates
etc. will be in the same place. If you are submitting a resume online be careful of your margins. You don’t know how the computer scanner is
set so leave at least a 1” margin all around. Since you don’t know the age or eyesight of the reader, use an easy to read typeface.
Objectives are out, summaries are in. Unless you have a very specific objective and will only consider that type of job, use a career summary –
a short concise pitch about you and what you have to offer.
Update, Update, Update. Each job is a little different. Before you send out a resume update or tweak it for each job position
Resumes are written in the third person and they are written in past tense. You may opt to put your current job in present tense but the rest
is in past tense. A resume is a marketing tool. Use it that way. It’s the paper that shows what you have achieved to take you to the next step
in your career.
Don’t lie. Titles, dates, compensation, education are all very easy to check. Computers are often the first readers of resumes. They will scan
for key words.
It is important that you use the key words from an ad or job description in your resume. Otherwise, a human may never see your resume.
References on request. This is a given. Don’t waste a line on your resume with it. A well written resumes shows confidence and confidence
is what employers look for. It’s no longer a one resume world. It’s a world that demands a well written resume for each job ad you answer.

5. Your personal brand is your power to stand out in this competitive market. A successful business professional,
especially, someone working in the world of integrated marketing communications, MUST be able to construct an
excellent resume with an enticing summary, have your elevator speech perfected and be able to brand
yourself for the social networking sites. Hiring employers, as well as current employers, will Google you. So will
other people with whom you interact. It is important that you control what they see.
Your brand is who you are and how you want to be known. It’s a short phrase or sentence, not a mission or
objective statement. I could be “Recruiter, career blogger and hiring specialist” or “Headhunter, Girl Scout and NY
Yankee Fan.”
It’s your brand, so you decide. Decide quickly on something and then follow these steps:
1. How do you or others describe you? Organized, crazy, sensible, relentless etc.
2. What field/industry do you work or who is my target audience? Or, is there one skill to identify you? Health-
care, Public Relations, Consumer, Social Marketing?
3. What do you do/want to do? PR pro, corporate communications executive, marketing head?
Now put it all together. Take what you have and play with it. Remember, you decide “how” and “what” people
think of you.
Relentless Communications Recruiter? Prolific Integrated Marketing Blogger? Rabid NY Yankee Fan and Girl Scout
Supporter?

6. Applying for a position online may seem like an easy way to get your resume to the hiring manager. In reality, however, it’s a
road lined with pitfalls. There are two major things you must think about. First, is the applicant tracking system and how it
works. Second, how a company uses the system. Here are some things to think about:
1. All applicant tracking systems work basically the same. They use a ‘parser’ to read the information in your resume to make
it as simple as possible.
2. The parser will read your information vs. the information it has been given by the company. In most cases, keywords pulled
from the job description will be used. Unfortunately you don’t know the keywords or the parameters they have been
given. What this means is that your resume submission must use the exact terminology or you risk the parser not forwarding
your resume.
3. Yes, you read that correctly. Just because you submitted your resume and received notification that it was accepted, it
doesn’t mean it will reach the hiring manager or HR. Unfortunately, totally unqualified candidates answer job ads so
the applicant tracking system helps to sort resumes.
4. It is important that you customize your resume to each job description.
5. You must also read the disclaimers/information on the web site. You need to know how long a company keeps your resume,
can you update it and can you apply for different positions or does one resume submission cover other jobs as they become
available.
6. This is important because one general resume for a media relations position may not fit the qualifications for a corporate
communications position etc.
7. Some companies post a new position and look at the resumes they receive for that position. They don’t go through the
database to search for other candidates.
8. You need to know how long it will be on file so you know when to resubmit.
9. If you have submitted a resume online, a recruiter cannot resubmit it.
Before hitting that ‘submit’ button, try to find someone in the company who can help get your resume to the right person. It
might take longer but it might get your resume read and get you some feedback.

7. Follow me here
@headPRhunter, LinkedIn
What I blog about
Hiring news, views & how-tos
Profile
Marie Raperto is a leading recruiter in the integrated marketing and communications
sectors, and is President/Owner of Cantor Integrated Marketing Staffing, Inc. In 1990, she
joined The Cantor Concern, Inc. as Vice President and then was made President. Previously,
she was a principal and vice president with Jim Cotton Communications, Inc., an
advertising/public relations/design firm. Her clients included numerous Fortune 500
industrial and services companies, as well as leading hotels and consumer products
companies. She is a member of PRSA, The Healthcare and Marketing PR Society and SHRM.
She serves on the Girl Scout Council of Greater New York’s Board of Directors. She is
currently the treasurer of the Women of Distinction Breakfast committee and is an author
and lecturer on topics dealing with Public Relations Staffing and finding employment. Her
company is involved with full and part-time recruitment, organizational development,
communications audits, mergers and acquisitions of PR agencies and HR consulting.