About the Book:
This comprehensive book is an all-inclusive job search handbook addressing all areas of the job search in an easy-to-read style. This resource is designed to lead users step-by-step through the job search maze. It includes exercises to help users assess their skills and focus on career objectives to land the right job for them. It also includes writing an effective cover letter, networking and interviewing skills, producing an electronic resume, and using the Internet in the job search. This unique handbook provides all the information users need to find a job.
A COMPLETE JOB SEARCH MANUAL
The Resume Writer’s Workbook was originally conceived solely as a resume handbook. However, in today’s competitive job search market a good resume is just not enough. Today, it has become increasingly important to master all facets of the job search: cover letters, networking, and inter-viewing, as well as being able to navigate the Internet. Over the past few years, the art of the job search has undergone tremendous changes, a revolution to be exact. While resumes, cover letters, and networking are all still integral factors, with the proliferation of the Internet with its e-mail and electronic resumes (e-resumes), much has changed. These changes are reflected in the book you now hold in your hands. This workbook has evolved to meet your needs, and is now a complete, comprehensive job search manual designed to guide you every step of the way up your career ladder. I have even added sections throughout titled “Emerging Trends.” These are the most modern, up-to-date techniques that are destined to have a lasting impact on the art of job search as we know it.
WHAT THIS WORKBOOK WILL DO FOR YOU
Statistics tells us that the job market is vastly changing. People are changing jobs in the course of their careers more often than ever before. Many companies are becoming more “automated” and economics is forcing companies to “downsize,” resulting in lost jobs and unemployment. In short, today’s job market is more fiercely competitive than ever.
That is why in today’s market you need an edge, a competitive edge, to stand out. Having a top- notch resume is still vital. But you will need more. You will need a well-crafted cover letter that demonstrates how your skills can be used to your target company’s advantage. You must be equipped with an overall knowledge of your field in general and a deep insight of your target company in particular in order to ace an interview. In today’s market you must also have an e-resume replete with significant keywords.
The Resume Writer’s Workbook will give you the edge you need to make your job search successful, and its unique workbook structure will simplify this arduous task. Written in language that is both concise and easy to understand, the material is presented logically so you can master it quickly.
In practical terms, this workbook will help you:
! Produce a top-notch resume
! Write impressive cover letters
! Uncover solid job leads
! Use the Internet efficiently in your job search
! Produce e-resumes and e-cover letters
! Create an impressive professional portfolio
! Excel at interviews
! Follow up all interviews
! Keep detailed records of all leads
! Stay organized during your job search
THE JOB SEARCH PROCESS
The material is presented in short, easy-to-master sections, and follows the logical sequence of the job search process:
Pre-Resume Preparation
! Assessing skills
! Deciding on a career objective
Resume Writing Process
! Assembling all personal data
! Selecting the most relevant information
! Printing the resume in an eye-catching layout
! Preparing an electronic/scannable version of your resume
Post-Resume Preparation
! Networking and selecting serious job leads
! Sending a resume and personalized cover letter to each employer
! Using the Internet to uncover leads and posting e-resumes on job boards
! Interviewing for the job
! Following up the interview
! Keeping detailed records of all contacts
THE WORKBOOK’S UNIQUE FORMAT
In the first three introductory chapters, you will be presented with the basics of writing an effective, high-power resume. You will assess your skills, choose your career objective(s), and decide upon the best resume format for your individual needs.
Next, each component of the resume is presented in single, easy-to-read chapters. You write your resume one section at a time, directly in the workbook, on the worksheet pages. Experience has proven that concentrating on each resume section individually simplifies the process, and keeps the writing structured and focused throughout.
Charts and worksheets are provided to help you assemble and organize your information. Instruction sheets at the end of the chapters will show you how to select your most impressive information.
After you have completed the worksheets and detached them, a special chapter will show you how to organize them and put everything together. When you are ready to have your resume typeset and printed, the sample resumes in Chapter 11 will assist you in selecting an eye-catching layout.
Chapter 12 emphasizes the importance of a cover letter and demonstrates seven ways you can make a cover letter work for you. Sample cover letters are provided as models for constructing your own dynamic cover letters.
Chapter 13 deals with newly-developed resume formats resulting from the predominant use of computers and the Internet. You will learn how to prepare an electronic resume, how to write, format, and send or post one. The pros and cons of electronic cover letters are also discussed. Other contemporary and significant job search tools such as the professional portfolio, job search portfolios, and Web pages dedicated to one’s resume or professional portfolio are also reviewed.
In Chapter 14, Networking, you will master proven techniques of uncovering the hidden job market and learn how to generate serious job leads and make the most of them.
The next chapter shows you how the Web fits into all areas of your job search. This chapter focuses on using the Web to network and uncover job leads, as well as how to identify the Web’s best job boards and how to post your e-resume on them. In addition, you will discover how you can put the Web to use in others areas of your job search to yield outstanding results.
The chapter on interviewing, Chapter 16, should be an indispensable aid once your interviews become a reality. A mock interview, complete with the most frequently asked interview questions (and answers!) will provide you with the practice you will need to excel and outperform the competition.
Finally, the personal job journal provides an excellent way to stay organized and keep track of your leads.
Follow the workbook and master these crucial job search skills. They are your keys to obtaining the job you deserve. Good luck!
