Online Résumés
Using a Word Template to Create an Electronic Resume:
Ř Many employers ask for your resume in Word format
attached to e-mail. It’s important to
have a professional, user-friendly resume.
If you don’t know where to start, a great idea is to create a resume
using a Word template:
o In Word 2003:
2 Click on the File menu and choose New;
2 Click the “On my computer” link in the Templates
section of the task pane that opens up on the right of your screen;
2 Click on the Other Documents tab and open one of the
resume templates by double-clicking it;
2 Fill it in; save it.
o In Word 2007/10:
2 Click the Office button (2007) or File menu (2010) and
choose New;
2 Click on Resumes and CVs category. There are HUNDREDS of resume templates you
can choose from, organized into 3 categories:
¨ Basic resumes;
¨ Job-specific resumes;
¨ Situation-specific resumes.
2 Open your choice and fill it in; save in Word 97-2003 format (when you go to
save, click the dropdown arrow next to Save as Type and choose Word 97-2003
format). This is so an employer who doesn’t
have Word 2007 or Word 2010 can still read it!
o Make sure your resume is virus-free! Hopefully you have automatic virus-scanning
software as part of your e-mail program’s uploading function.
o Make sure the filename of your resume contains your name so that it’s easier for a
prospective employer to find on their computer once they download it. For example, Carol_Diesel_Resume.doc instead
of Resume.doc.
o Richard Bolles, the guy who wrote What Color is Your Parachute, has an excellent web site, one page of
which includes links to specific advice
and examples for those writing resumes and cover letters. That page is here.
o If an employer doesn’t ask you to attach a resume,
copy and paste it into your e-mail instead, making sure to clean it up afterwards. This may increase the chances of it passing
spam filters either on your end or on the other end (attachments sometimes get
blocked), so that the prospective employer actually receives it.
o Here is a link that explains how to save your resume in text (.txt) format and then clean up
the formatting. Save this .txt copy in
addition to your Word copy so that you can use it for e-mailing and also to
paste your resume into text boxes on job sites.
Privacy and Your Resume:
Ř Job-hunt.org summarizes why you need a “cyber-safe” resume (one
that protects your job, your privacy, and your identity): “In some
recruitment circles, job seekers who protect their identity are more desirable
than those who don't. The assumption is, frequently, that you are employed
(probably at a senior level) and have an existing job that you are protecting.”
Ř Here are their tips for creating a cyber-safe resume:
o
Remove the following
contact information: home address, home phone number, work address, work phone
number, business e-mail. Replace it with
personal cell phone number and personal e-mail address that is unconnected with
work or with any public profiles of you on the Internet (Facebook, etc.).
o
Remove name of
current employer and replace it with generic company information, such as “small
construction supplies distribution company.”
This is so your current employer can’t find your resume online and know
you’re looking for a job elsewhere.
Similarly, if the words in your job title are specific to your company,
replace them with a more generic job title (e.g., "New England Regional
Gadget Marketing Director" becomes "multi-state marketing manager of
gadget-class products").
Creating a Video Resume:
Ř The idea of video résumés really took off when video
cameras, web cameras, and associated software became more affordable to the
average job hunter. Job hunters began to
use the video résumé as a means of distinguishing themselves from applicants
who submitted paper résumés.
Ř There may be some drawbacks to recording a video résumé,
however, including that an employer might not have time to watch the whole
video (paper résumés are easier to scan for “bullet points); many applicants
are not comfortable in front of a camera, and are thus unable to put their best
foot forward in this way; and employers may be leery of video résumés because
they could be liable for appearance-related discrimination (http://www.ere.net/2007/02/13/time-to-hit-pause-on-video-résumés).
Ř Some argue that video résumés should only be used to
apply for jobs where appearance or creativity are part of the job description.
Ř If you do decide that you want to create a video
resume, About.com
has some great tips on creating video résumés:
o Dress professionally in business attire, just as if
you were going to an in-person interview.
o Keep your video résumé short: 1 to 3 minutes.
o Look at the camera, not at the desk or table below
you.
o Don't speak too fast.
o Make sure there isn't any background noise and that
the wall behind you isn't too busy.
o Practice what you're going to say ahead of time.
o Start your pitch by mentioning your name (first and
last).
o Focus on your professional endeavors, not your
personal ones.
o Discuss why you would be a good employee and what you
can do for the company that hires you.
o Thank the viewer for considering you for employment.
Ř Careerbuilder mentions 9 common mistakes applicants make when
recording video résumés: be sure to read this too if you want to create a video
resume.
Ř Here are some sites where you can upload a video résumé:
o http://www.hirevue.com: Sends webcams to job candidates, who use them to
answer real-time interview questions.
o http://www.résumévideo.com: Sends online "postcards" of job candidates
to a network of mostly not-for-profit employers
o http://www.videorésumés.us.com/
Other Resume-Related Sites: