Win More Job Interviews by Using Stronger Keywords In Your Next Resume Cover Letter
It’s widely accepted by recruitment professionals that increasingly higher competition among today’s job seekers is making it harder for many applicants to successfully obtain interviews for positions in the organizations they wish to join.
In order to overcome this situation, the successful job seeker is learning more and more to use power words to help stand out from crowd in this increasingly competitive job market.
Even a few years ago, you probably would not have heard of the term keywords in the context of cover letters for resumes.
But, given the increased use of technology in screening the thousands of applicants applying for positions in Fortune 500 organizations, they have started to impact individuals and related industries in a big way.
But keywords, those hot words that are associated with special industries or job positions, are an important way that a job seeker can differentiate him or herself from the competition of other job seekers. They are important because they can mean far more than the more two or three words convey by themselves.
Jay Block, an executive career coach in West Palm Beach, Fla., commented that if the ad says candidates need to have a bachelor’s degree, “bachelor’s degree” had better show up somewhere in your resume.
He also commented that job hunters need to look at ads for similar jobs from other companies. It’s important to recognize that each specific industry has its own inside “speak” or jargon, and knowing what specific words are important in the range of ads about certain job positions will help you spot the pattern of words that employers are continually using. Once you spot the pattern, a good tactic is to start using them yourself in you own resume cover letters and correspondence relating to getting an interview for a new position.
It’s important to understand that some keywords are the real ones that you need to take notice off. Although many keywords are industry specific, Mr. Block says, certain phrases are common among all organizations. These words continue to have favor today and they include “communication skills,” “problem-solving,” “team work,” “leadership,” “resource optimization,” and “image and reputation management.” The reason is that they relate to universal skills that are in hot demand by today’s employers.
“Business development” might be one of the most important of all, he says.
“I’ve interviewed many, many companies that will tell me, ‘Everybody from the floor sweeper to the national sales manager had better be involved in business development in some way,’ ” says Mr. Block.
Keywords are something that have been used by most people though their working lives – even if they don’t realize it at the time. They can be defined as simply the hot buzz words of a particular trade or profession. They clearly communicate something specific about the particular job function, qualification or specialist experience.
Some examples of these include increased market penetration for marketing personnel, shared vision for human resources personnel, customer development for sales staff and systems engineering for Computer IT Specialists.
As the market place has become increasingly competitive for job seekers , you will need to catch your potential employer’s attention by writing action driven statements that explain what value you can provide your prospective employer. Strong keywords are nouns that allow you to get the message across more successfully than most other means. They allow you to showcase your qualifications, capabilities and what you can offer the employer. Moreover, they are very hard to pass over so they tend not to be ignored.
It’s a well known fact in recruiting circles that keywords are a really effective way of enhancing your resume cover letters, broadcast letters and other styles of correspondence that you use to win job interviews. Strong keywords make a dramatic improvement to your presentation that should showcase achievements, qualifications and experiences that support your successes throughout your working career.
You might substitute, for example, revenue growth for bottom line improvement or efficiency and improvement for cost reduction and avoidance.
The potential list of keywords that can be used to create a professional image is very large and the more that you think of them, the easier it will be to incorporate them into your resume cover letters, resumes, thank you letters and other job search activities.
So, after you have worked thorough a listing of your “professional keywords”, you need to closely marry them to your background and simply drop the weaker terms. The most important part of the process is to make sure that these keywords are relevant to your profession. Use of in-appropriate keywords, or overuse of them, could also weaken your resume cover letter so it is important not to go overboard.
If you start researching the most powerful keywords for your profession, you will get the added advantage of educating yourself about the skills, qualifications and experience that is demanded by today’s employers in your particular field.
So, if you need to move away from your core area of experience and branch into a different job field one day, you will be well served by researching the right keywords to help you familiarize yourself with this new area and what is required by the candidate for the particular position.
Robert de Paola has employed staff for over 20 years in major international manufacturing organizations.
To get the 7 most important tips and techniques to improve your skills in writing resume cover letters and winning your dream job visit my web site at http://coverlettersforresumes.tumblr.com/
The Importance Of Certification And Accreditation From A Heavy Equipment Training School
Heavy equipment training involves imparting of specialized training to heavy equipments operators with the use of heavy machinery equipments like bulldozers, forklifts, cranes in industries like construction, mining, and logging. Due to the nature of work and the high degree of risk involved, it becomes essential that all equipment operators receive some kind of specialized training from certified and accredited heavy equipment training schools. All equipment operators are required to first pass, written as well as practical series of tests, in order to qualify for the work and safely operate heavy machines.
A trainee has various options in heavy equipment training schools and institutes to choose from. Only after he is certified by a major organization like the NCCER (National Centre for Construction Education and Research), he can start working as a equipment operator. Although, different companies require certification from different organizations, the NCCER is one of the most well-known and reputed centers for heavy equipment certification.
Depending on the needs and requirements of the job, you have the alternative to select from three major training courses that are conducted for heavy equipment operators. Level I deal with the basics of equipment operations and is a foundation course. Under this, the trainee is taught essential safety measures to be taken while at work, the rules and regulations that need to be observed at the site and other similar vital information is also imparted. After one completes this course, the trainee can then operate simple heavy machinery like dump trucks, loaders and backhoes.
The second heavy equipment-training program also known as the equipment operation level II can be taken up, after you complete the primary course. Only the trainees of level I are eligible for the level II training program. This program is inclusive of the refresher of the level I courses, civil blue print reading and earth moving training. This course enables the trainees to safely operate heavy equipments and machines at construction sites like bulldozers, forklifts and rollers.
The third heavy equipment training program is a more advanced and comprehensive course. It can be applied only after the trainee has cleared the level I and II operations. It deals with imparting training in commercial concepts like advanced safety precautions, leadership training in the industrial world, project planning, and skills that will enable one to successfully complete and pursue his career in this field. Certified people of the level III courses are eligible to operate complex equipments and machinery like excavators. These courses not only instill operating skills, but also leadership and management skills in the trainees.
However, before you choose to enroll in any of the above programs, it is essential that you make sure that the prospective school is not only competent but also has a reputation in this field and confirm the fact that it is accredited by establishments like the NCCER which is an essential criterion, since all major companies recognize courses certified by the NCCER.
The NCCER is a non-commercial and non-profit organization that was formed by the collaboration of 11 of the largest construction companies in the worlds. It aims to provide the compulsory education and training all equipment operators, keeping their safety in mind. It also helps to address severe shortage of qualified personnel in the equipment industry. The NCCER has made it easier for people to receive training and certification by successfully managing to unify the training heavy equipment program.
In short, being certified and accredited by a heavy equipment training school not only ensures your safety but also enables you to take advantage of various job opportunities in this field.
Heavy Equipment Careers are well paying and in demand. Did you know you can finance your education? We are fully accredited by the DETC. Visit our website http://www.earthmoverschool.com/index.htm.
What to Look For in a Fitness Trainer Education
The growing interest in fitness and health makes it a great time to take the step and become a personal fitness trainer.
There are gyms and workout centers for men and women (and both together) springing up everywhere. A couple of years ago I was the only personal trainer in this rural area, but now there are several within a few miles and yet my small business has not felt any pinch and is still growing.
The reasons are many, but chief among them is the recognition that a fit lifestyle is much healthier and less prone to illness and disability than the sedentary, over-weight, sit-on-your-butt-all-day lifestyle that seems to be everywhere.
That and the fact that baby boomers are into or nearing retirement age and beginning to feel their mortality. Fit people simply live longer and happier lives.
If you are one of those, at any age, who works out regularly anyway, and enjoys helping people and can’t understand why everyone isn’t exercising, why not have a long think about becoming a fitness professional?
If you are reading this, perhaps you have already thought about a career change and simply want to be sure to do it the right way.
To that end I have put together a few pointers about getting your fitness trainer education and becoming a personal trainer and I have also published a list of Fitness Trainer Schools in the US, and online., on my website for reference purposes.
The decision to become a personal trainer must involve a decision to obtain the necessary education and certification and is an imperative step in being recognized as a competent practitioner in this discipline.
Reputable fitness trainer schools will help you become a personal trainer by providing the following training in their courses. Make sure that any school you are considering will deliver the following:
You’ll learn the critical areas of Fitness Assessment, Program Design, Upper- and Lower-body Strength Training and Flexibility Training.
You’ll learn how to effectively administer a health history screening, which simply means you will learn to assess a clients current physical condition through testing so you have all the information necessary to develop a safe and effective exercise program and more.
You will learn to become a fitness trainer for one-on-one or small group training. It’s worth bearing in mind that small group training in the form of ‘Boot Camps” can be highly effective at recruiting new, ongoing clients as well as producing a great income source. This is important whether you work at a club or on your own.
You will learn to empower, motivate, challenge and retain your clients.
The schools curriculum should be continually evaluated and updated to ensure that it includes the most current exercise science information to keep the graduates ahead of the competition.
You will have demonstrated your knowledge of exercise science, nutrition, fitness assessment, exercise programming, and training and instruction techniques.
You will be required to do real-life situational evaluations. Given a (hypothetical) clients problems, goals and limitations you will assess and design an appropriate program for exercise and be tested on your performance.
Generally, you must meet the following eligibility requirements to become a personal trainer.
* You must be at least 18 years of age.
* You must hold current adult CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) certification at the time of the exam. Candidates registering for online courses must have current CPR prior to registration.
It certainly helps if you understand fitness science and don’t just memorize it. This is a case where you can really help people if you have a good understanding, or you could do harm if you don’t. After all, being a fitness trainer is not just about memorizing program design, but understanding the fundamentals of exercise science so that fitness can be prescribed to many unique individuals.
Look for a program that includes alot of hands-on teaching. This will help you know you are doing things right and will increase your confidence.
The right personal trainer course will help with your belief in yourself, and will give you confidence in your ability, and trust in your knowledge.
Deciding on a career, or changing careers can be a little scary, but will be less-so if you do a little ground work first.
Cindy Brotherston, CFT,
Owner of Inspirations Personal Training and Fitness Therapy Studio and http://www.busywomensfitness.com, see my listing of fitness trainer schools here… http://www.busywomensfitness.com/fitness-trainer-schools.html
Show Me The Money
We all feel like we deserve more money than we earn. The amount you earn is never nor never will be enough. So what should we be doing to earn mega bucks? This article will give you an insight into the more enviable salaries that people earn and the industries in which they earn them.
TV and Film
One of the most effective ways of earning a lot of money is to be a star on TV or Film. James Gandolfini the star in the leading US drama The Sopranos earns a whopping $10 million per year. Talk show host David Letterman earns $31 million per year for hosting The Late Show his rival Jon Stewart receives $1.5 million for hosting The Daily Show.
The anchor for Good Morning America, Charlie Gibson pulls in $7million per year. In movies among the highest earners are Harvey and Bob Weinstein they a reported to have earned $50milliion each in 2004 as co-chairmen of Miramax Films. Robert De Niro and Leonardo Di Caprio commanded fees of $20million for their performances in Meet the Fockers and The Aviator respectively.
Nicole Kidman was paid $15 million for The Interpreter, Kirsten Dunst got $8 million for Elizabethtown and Lindsay Lohan made $3.5 million for her role in Herbie: Fully Loaded and is set to earn a further $7.5 million for the upcoming film Just My Luck. It is said that Sarah Jessica Parker receives a phenomenal $38 million as Gap spokeswoman after the somewhat unbelievable chick drivel nonsense Sex in the City made her a star.
Music
Music can also prove to be an excellent way to earn money. Rapper 50 Cent reportedly earns $50 million a year with P Diddy earning $36 million. Rock band The Strokes are said to have received $835,000 each from the sales of their album Room on Fire. Despite being dead John Lennon and Frank Sinatra are said to earn $21million and $5million respectively.
DJ Mark Ronson earns $400,000 per year whilst Lorin Maazel conductor of the New York Philharmonic orchestra gets paid $1,909,155. George M. A street musician that works in Astor Place subway station earns considerably less with $16,800 per year.
Publishing
The writer and creator of TV show The Sopranos David Chase made an incredible $20 million from the show whilst bestselling author Malcolm Gladwell makes around $1.5 million per year from sales of his book Blink plus $250,000 salary as writer for the New Yorker. Martha Stewarts books earn her $3,565,969 per year and she earns a further $9.6 million for her TV work. Hugh Hefner earns $983,000 per year as founder and editor-in-chief, Playboy Enterprises.
The Editor-in-chief of Time Inc. Norm Pearlstine earns $2 million a year as does the Editor of Vogue Anna Wintour. The editor of The New Yorker David Remnick earns half that amount with $1 million per year.
Government
You may think the world’s politicians are overpaid fat cats but although they do receive good salaries they earn considerably less than their equivalent positions would in the private sector. The secretary-general of the United Nations and the man who is pretty much entrusted with the safety of the free world Kofi Annan earns a substantial but rather underwhelming $341,094 per year.
US senator and presidential candidate Hillary Clinton earns $162,100 per year. British Prime Minister Gordon Brown earns a meagre 188,849. pounds US congressmen may hold the power but they earn relatively little; around $162,100 per year.
Religion
Unsurprisingly religious leaders do not earn a great deal from their work (at least in the monetary sense). The Cardinal of the Archdiocese of New York Edward Egan earns $18,000 per year. Catholic Priests earn around $18,200. Cloistered Nuns receive $0 whilst Rabbis can earn around $50,000 which includes income from books, lectures, and weddings. Imam Omar Abu-Namous earns $4,200 as Head of the Islamic Cultural Center of New York.
Art
The owner of Chelsea gallery reportedly earns $300,000 per year whilst the painter Jasper Johns
earns $20 million. Conceptual art can also pay the bills with conceptual artist Jeff Koons earning $15 million. Despite being dead the artist Andy Warhol is said to earn $16,226,741 per year. Leading photographer Cindy Sherman earns $1 million.
Expert investigator Shaun Parker looks into the various recruitment and job agencies in east anglia. To find out more please visit http://www.halesgroup.co.uk