click here for tips on getting your resume noticed, make it stand out and get that job. Article and website by Diane Palmer
You have spent weeks writing your resume, you have dusted it off, you have finally perfected it to be the resume that you can be proud of and totally represents your best qualities. You pat yourself on the back, and start handing it out to the select companies you wish to be considered for.
Everything is perfect, until you get that phone call from Joe... your best friend in high school, whom you have not seen for years, maybe decades, and he phones you to tell you, some guy, from some company, phoned him, asking if he could recommend you for a job position, and what he knew about you... and Joe... sounds totally confused!
You gut lurches, because you spent so much time dusting off that old resume, making sure it was perfect, forgetting you still had your old references from years ago. You wonder what this guy has told this potential employer, and now you may have lost your credibility for that job.
When writing a resume, remember, references are the final key for an employer. They have read your resume, and like what they read, and vision you working for their company, and what you will bring to the table in terms of experiences and education. Then they talk to Joe.... and its all over before it started.
You may be lucky, and they try one of your other references, but chances are, if you have Joe... on there as the first reference, your second one is probably just as bad!
Update your references, include only qualified people who know you and your work, and would highly recommend you. Ask them if you can use them for a reference, and make sure you keep up to date phone numbers for them, that way there are no surprise phone calls from the likes of Joe... that catch them off guard as they try to remember the guy they last saw at the college party!.
- Related Videos
- Related Articles
- Ask / Related Q&A
How NOT to Differentiate Yourself From Everyone Else
By: Brad Remillard | 07/11/2009As candidates become more and more desperate in their job search they often turn to desperate measures that more often than not hurt the candidate. One example of this is with the resume.
Resume Do's and Don'ts
By: Brad Remillard | 07/11/2009Every person that has put together a resume knows the basics, no spelling errors, limit to two pages, chronological format, use keywords and so on, but there are other basic issues that candidates do and don't do that have a big impact on getting their resume noticed. By getting noticed I mean read and ultimately you get a phone call or email.
Resume Tweaking May Be Better Than An Overhaul
By: Brad Remillard | 07/11/2009I was meeting with a candidate today, we will call him Andy, who recently landed. He had been on the market for about 5 months. He did all the right things, went to the networking meetings, drank more coffee than he should have, reworked his resume over and over, all for nothing. He would get interviews but never make the cut. He had sent out lots of resumes with moderate success.
Employment Cover Letter - Critical Factors to Win Interviews
By: Steve Wong | 07/11/2009A good employment cover letter can make a big difference between being successful in getting job interviews or not.
Executives: Are You Worth the Investment?
By: Heather Eagar | 04/11/2009Executives have the challenge of proving their worth in their resumes even more so than than a mid-level professional. Read more to find out how do it.
Is your CV letting you down?
By: Charles | 04/11/2009If you are applying for jobs but not getting interviews it could be because your CV is letting you down. Your CV is the key to attracting the recruiters attention and selling your suitability for that perfect next job and this is a guide on designing a CV to give you best possible chance in reaching the next stage of the process, the interview. Do not forget a well-designed CV is essential to the job search process and should mirror the job for which you are applying as closely as possible.
How to Write a Resume Cover Sheet
By: Nick Ramirez | 31/10/2009Preparing a good resume cover sheet is as important as the resume or the written application for the post of job you feel suitable for you. A good cover letter is actually going to attract the attention of the employer. Remember that cover letters can be normally of three types- "Application letter" which is a response to the work opening; "Networking letter" that is seeking guidelines for the job search; and the "Prospecting letter" which is a...
Resume Writing Tips – Resume Action Verbs
By: Allan Tan | 29/10/2009Verbs are a very important part of the human language. They describe things you are doing, will do, or have done. SO, it’s not hard to understand that when talking about your skills, verbs are crucial.
How to Create Gifts Under 5 Dollars At Craft Shows
By: Diane Palmer | 07/11/2009 | CraftsIf you sell crafts at craft shows, you can make money on gifts under 5 dollars....
Stage a Christmas Craft Show - DIY Way to Launch Your Craft Business
By: Diane Palmer | 07/11/2009 | Home BusinessThis is the perfect time of year to get your craft business started and make cash!
Christmas Craft Ideas - Make a Rustic Christmas Tree Craft
By: Diane Palmer | 06/11/2009 | CraftsHere is a great little rustic christmas craft idea for your tree or gifts. If you have an old pair of jeans, you can make these...
The Secret To Losing Weight Fast - Start Right Now
By: Diane Palmer | 30/10/2009 | Weight LossIs losing weight fast a goal for you? Read this for a simple plan..
The Fastest Way To Lose Weight - This Works!
By: Diane Palmer | 30/10/2009 | Weight LossAre you stuck on a plateau? The scale won't budge? Try this, and see the weight fall off..
Plus Size Maternity Clothes - Look Great without Breaking The Bank
By: Diane Palmer | 29/10/2009 | PregnancyYou don't have to blow your budget on plus size maternity clothes. You can fill your closet for less...
Menopause: How to Cool Those Hot Flashes Fast
By: Diane Palmer | 11/08/2009 | Women's HealthIf you are waken in the night by menopause hot flashes, then try this quick fix... it works!
Free Traffic: How to Get Free Traffic and Watch Your Profits Soar
By: Diane Palmer | 07/08/2009 | Internet MarketingIs your product collecting dust because you can't afford to pay for advertising?. Read on and find free ways to get traffic and keep your money in your pocket.