4 Things Recruiters are Tired of Seeing on Resumes

4 Things Recruiters are Tired of Seeing on Resumes

Cut the gimmicks and focus on what you have to offer a prospective employer.

By Catherine Conlan

Monster Contributing Writer

Recruiters look at resumes all day long and they’ve seen it all, including quite a lot they’d rather not see again. If you want to impress recruiters and increase your chances of getting hired, start by eliminating these four things recruiters are tired of seeing on resumes from yours.

Too many meaningless details

If you think you’ll impress people by spinning your barista work into a big deal job by using more words to describe it, you’re mistaken, says Tracy Vistine, a lead recruiter with the Messina Group. Being a barista warrants no more than three bullet points, but “it is not uncommon to see resumes for these positions with 15 bullet points.”

If you’re in the early stages of your career, you may feel like you need to pad your resume to make it look more impressive, says Vistine, but recruiters can see right through this. “We often see entry-level candidates detailing bridge positions with more enthusiasm than necessary.”

Instead, focus on what you’ve accomplished in your jobs, not just the duties you had to fulfill each day, says Don Tebbe, who spent 20 years recruiting executives for nonprofits and who now focuses on exit planning. “Show me, don't tell me, the difference you made in that job, the impact you had on the organization or the world.”

Vague dates 

Life happens, and you may have gaps in your employment history. But unexplained absences can be problematic, says Abhi Trehan, recruiting consultant at McNeill Nakamoto. “About two years ago, I started realizing a growing trend in applicants taking out the months from their employment history, making it very vague and up to the reader's judgment. To me, this raises an immediate red flag and makes me think they are hiding gaps in their employment.”

Generic objective statements
 

Deanna Arnold, founder of The People’s HR, says the objective statement must go, because the information it shares is already obvious. “Here is what everybody puts as their objective: To find a position in a dynamic and growing company to fully utilize my years of skills and experience.”

An objective statement doesn’t talk about your skills and experience, nor does it set you apart, Arnold says. And finally, “It is obvious that you are looking for a job, otherwise you wouldn't have applied.”

Mark Slack, career adviser and hiring manager at Resume Genius, says it’s not the objective statement that’s the problem it’s that people don’t do a good job of writing theirs. “No one wants to read a brief sentence from an applicant about how he or she would like a job in your company.” But a well-constructed career objective can make you stand out.

“A good career objective allows a candidate to briefly describe the main skills, qualifications, and experiences that make them an excellent candidate to forward the company's goals,” Slack says.

“References available on request”

This line just isn’t necessary, says Julie Desmond, an IT and software recruiting manager at George Konik Associates. “I have yet to see a resume that says, ‘No references available, no matter how much you beg.’”

You can always include references with your application from the beginning, but if you don’t and the recruiter or company you’re applying to wants them, they’ll ask.

Happy Memorial Day Weekend!

 

Wishing you a Safe and Happy Memorial Day Weekend from Salem Solutions, LLC / Salem Medical & Dental Placement!

 

 

 

3 Biggest Mistakes People Make When Negotiating Pay

3 BIGGEST MISTAKES PEOPLE MAKE WHEN NEGOTIATING PAY

Catherine Conlan, Monster Contributing Writer | May 20, 2013

Many people find that one of the most difficult parts of any job search is talking about money. When the conversation turns to compensation, many job applicants get nervous or uncomfortable and are reluctant to talk about the kind of salary and benefits they expect for a position. These mistakes can cost you millions over the course of your career. Here are the three most common ones -- and tips on how to avoid them.

Mistake No. 1: Take Everything Personally

While it's important to understand the value of the skills you bring to a position, keep in mind that your salary is just a number. "People get hung up on cliffs or plateaus or magical numbers," says Mark Jaffe, president of Wyatt & Jaffe in Minneapolis. "They tend to take negotiation personally because they're reacting to it from an emotional place."

Instead, Jaffe recommends that an applicant stop thinking of a specific salary as a status symbol, and simply recognize that it's an amount of money that pays the bills. If the salary is borderline on what you're willing to take, ask about adding benefits, equity or a sign-on bonus to get closer to the number you had in mind.

Mistake No. 2: Rely on Oral Discussions Only

Asking a company to put something in writing can feel like you're making big demands, or you may think it makes you look like you don't trust them. In fact, it's an important part of the negotiation process because it makes both parties get serious. "Getting it in writing takes it out of the realm of buying potatoes off the back of someone's wagon and crystalizes it into a formal offer to get you to join a team," Jaffe says.

When the company makes a compensation offer, ask for it in writing and say you'd like a day or so to think about the offer and talk it over with other decision-makers in your life, such as your spouse. Don't accept or reject an offer as a reaction -- give yourself some time to consider it. The employer will understand.

Mistake No. 3: Jump at the First Offer -- or Refuse to Negotiate at All

Many people get so nervous about talking about compensation that they do one of two things: They refuse to negotiate at all, or they accept the first offer the company makes without countering. "You need to be a little bit of a poker player," Jaffe says. "Do your research in advance to make sure what they're offering is in range. Understand that there are three or four components to every offer -- base salary, bonus if there is one, short-term and long-term equity -- and all of these things need to be factored into the total package."

During the negotiations, if you're asked, be honest about your current compensation. Don't round up or make it sound like more than it is.

And while negotiating your compensation is important, "make sure going back to the well is a one-time thing," Jaffe says. "Come back and say, 'if you're able to add this, I'll happily accept.' You want to communicate that this will not be a protracted thing. They offer X, you come back and offer Y, they say 'we couldn't do Y, but we can do Z.' At that point, it's yes or no."

Most employers expect some back-and-forth in discussions about compensation. Job applicants who know how to avoid big mistakes can feel more confident about getting the best compensation package possible.

MERRY CHRISTMAS 2012

 

WISHING YOU A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

From Salem Solutions, Salem Medical & Dental Placement

www.salemsolutionsllc.biz



Santa's Prayer on Christmas Eve

Santa's Prayer on Christmas Eve

By Warren D. Jennings

 

The sleigh was all packed, the reindeer were fed,
But Santa still knelt by the side of the bed.

"Dear Father," he prayed "Be with me tonight.
There's much work to do and my schedule is tight.

I must jump in my sleigh and streak through the sky,
Knowing full well that a reindeer can't fly.

I will visit each household before the first light,
I'll cover the world and all in one night.

With sleigh bells a-ringing, I'll land on each roof,
Amid the soft clatter of each little hoof.

To get in the house is the difficult part,
So I'll slide down the chimney of each child's heart.

My sack will hold toys to grant all their wishes.
The supply will be endless like the loaves and the fishes.

I will fill all the stockings and not leave a track.
I'll eat every cookie that is left for my snack.

I can do all these things Lord, only through You,
I just need your blessing, then it's easy to do.

All this is to honor the birth of the One,
That was sent to redeem us, Your most Holy Son.

So to all of my friends, least Your glory I rob,
Please Lord, remind them who gave me this job."

 

 

Happy Thanksgiving!

Wishing everyone a Safe and Happy Thanksgiving from Salem!

How To Keep Your Spririts Up During A Job Search

How to Keep Your Spirits Up During a Job Search
By Pat Mayfield

If you're having a difficult time finding a job, and it seems like it's taking forever, don't despair. Here are some suggestions for keeping your spirit positive:

Think Up
The mind is a powerful vessel. How we think and what we think can control our spirits. We literally can think ourselves up or down. To keep out the negative thoughts and self-doubt:

 

·         Wake up thinking or saying positive statements.
·         Avoid negative media, news, emails, and downer movies and television.
·         End the day thinking or saying positive statements.
·         Think about the positives a new job brings: new skills, new relationships, and a new chance to show your skills and talents.

Positive Reminders
Surround yourself with quotes or statements of hope and encouragement. Write your favorites on sticky notes on the refrigerator or computer -- somewhere you can easily see them. Two of my favorites are from Winston Churchill:

 

·         "The pessimist sees problems in every opportunity...whereas the optimist sees opportunity in every problem."
·         "Never ever, ever, ever, ever, ever give up. Never give up. Never give up. Never give up..."

Take Steps
Literally. Move. Being a couch potato shows. Leave the house at least once a day. Exercise, jogging or walking will:

 

·         Reenergize you.
·         Help to clear the mental cobwebs.
·         Prepare you to look your best for interviews.

Pamper Yourself with Kind Acts
How you treat yourself can impact your spirit.

 

·         Play your favorite music softly in the background while you "work."
·         Eat healthy without hugging the refrigerator. Now is not the time to bulk up.
·         Sing -- regardless of quality. Singing happy songs will actually will help to stretch and relax your vocal chords while refreshing your spirit.
·         Avoid being sloppy. Dress and groom yourself with respect -- for you.
·         Treat yourself with affordable goodies such as a favorite food or beverage, an afternoon movie with popcorn, doing something touristy, or a mindless novel.

See Spirited People
Make sure you spend some time, preferably in person, with positive and supportive people every day.

 

·         Surround yourself with yea-sayers and avoid the naysayers.
·         Work your network.
·         Call people rather than email or texting them -- it's more personal and supportive.
·         If you're single and live alone, go to the library or a coffee shop to be around others.
·         Help others in need. Get out of yourself from time to time.
·         Spend quality time with your family and friends.

Keep at the Top of Your Game
Keeping your spirit up has a lot to do with how you feel about yourself. Don't let your skill set and knowledge slide.

 

·         Keep up on industry news.
·         Read trade journals and business magazines and newspapers.
·         If possible, practice to improve your career skill set.

Now's the Time
Enjoy the positives of your job search, like having spare time. Remember all those times you said, "If I only had time, I'd..."

 

·         Read those books.
·         Clean that closet.
·         Take that class.
·         Get in better shape.

Do Your Best Work to Find Work
Knowing you're taking all the right steps to find a job will help improve your spirits.

 

·         Write a perfect resume and cover letter for each job.
·         Send X amount of resumes out each workday without fail.
·         Keep up-to-date records of results.
·         Keep accurate contact information on companies, executives and hiring agents.
·         Have your interview clothes clean and ready to wear.
·         Work at finding work every day.