How to Modify and Maximize Your Resume Template

How to Modify and Maximize Your Resume TemplateHow to Modify and Maximize your Resume TemplateJuly 6, 2015 By Mark Slack, CPRW Should you use a resume schablone? If you follow career advice on the Internet, youve probably read conflicting information about whether its acceptable to use a schablone, or if you should create your own.Make a Resume in MinutesThere are two sides to this debateYes, its ok to use a resume schablone because its efficient and hiring managers dont care, andNo, its not ok because hiring managers will recognize the template and judge you as being lazy and unoriginal.Lets get one thing out of the way first argument number 1 is truer than number 2 heres why.Hiring managers are not beauty pageant judgesHiring managers are paid to judge you as a candidate for a specific job role, not judge whether your template is unique or original.Donald Trump is the only person on earth who actually does both judge resumes and beauty pageants.The resume is merely a vessel for c onveying information selling you as perfect for that job role. Provided that your resume template is clear and well organized, it is the information on the resume that is important, not whether its conveyed aesthetically in an original way.Only an incompetent hiring manager would reject a perfect candidate for a job role simply because the applicant used a Microsoft Word resume template.Now, while argument number 1 is truer, argument number 2 also has some merit that must be acknowledged and this part is especially relevant for college students.Where the resume template needs workWhile downloading a resume template is perfectly acceptable, there are template modifications you can make that will maximize the impact of your resume and help you land more interview.Example College StudentsA lack of work experience can make resume writing very difficult.The average college student is lacking in real job experience. Many have none whatsoever, and others may have had some internship roles or summer gigs. The problem? In general, resume templates are designed for professionals who already have solid work experiences.Heres the crux of the issue because of the lack of work experience, a downloaded resume template may not be the best vessel to convey information for college students. College students may need to modify the template in order to package their experiences in a way that emphasizes their professionalism in an academic setting.So heres what it comes down to for college studentsYes, by all means, download a resume template. Its efficient and they look good.And yes, by all means, modify the template to better convey your experiences as a college student.If the template is the aesthetic shell of a car, the modifications youll make are to the engine. But what modifications should college students make?Put the Education section firstIf the resume template youve downloaded starts with a Professional Profile Qualifications Summary or some other introductory section, consider eliminating it and moving the Education section to the top. For more info, you can read our article on how to start a resume.As a college student, your academic credentials are the most important part of your resume. Given that you have little to no professional experience to speak of, giving yourself a Professional Profile would be a stretch.Create a Major Achievements sectionWhat major achievements from college can you put on your resume?College students with little to no work experience are often at a loss for how to fill up an entire page for a resume. One way is to create a Major Achievements section that serves the same functional purpose as the Work Experience section on a professionals resume.In this section, you can add bullet points about your academic and life achievements, provided they are relevant to the job you are applying for.Example 1 If you were a part of your campus newspaper or magazine, you would treat it like a real job. Include the name of the publi cation, the dates you worked on it, your position, and write bullet points indicating your biggest achievements and contributions.Example 2 If you were in student government, include your position, the dates you served, and write bullet points indicating your biggest achievements and contributions.This strategy can be applied to any club or organization you participated in during college.Note If you also had work experience, you can include both sections, with an emphasis on whichever experiences are most relevant to the job you are applying for.ConclusionWith some slight modifications, downloading a resume template is a perfectly acceptable way for busy college students to save time. Again, a good resume template is one that conveys information clearly a function of font size, font style, use of white space, use of bolding, italics, and underlines, and margins.Save yourself a headache, download a resume template, and make necessary cosmetic changes to give yourself a boost over yo ur competition. We also highly recommend using our acclaimed resume builder, which will automatically format your job descriptions onto our famous templates, and allow you to make easy modifications.

5 Creative Thinking Methods That Can Help You Make Better Decisions

5 Creative Thinking Methods That Can Help You Make Better Decisions Coco Chanel welches the first designer to use jersey in her fashions.At the time, jersey welches an inexpensive fabric used only for mens underwear. Chanel had faced difficult circumstances early in her life and elected to use jersey to make womens clothes because it was inexpensive. With mora expensive fabrics being rationed during World War I, Chanel purchased the material at a low cost and used the comfortable, functional fabric in her designs. She became known for her practical clothing line, ultimately revolutionizing the face of fashion forever.This is just one example of a creative thinker who used problem-solving to change herand the course of history. And shes not the only one. Creative thinking is a skill that can get you far in the workplace and in life.What are creative thinking and critical thinking?Creative thinking involves tackling projects, plans, problems, or obstacles through fresh and unorthodox m ethods and ideasin other words, thinking outside the box, or divergent thinking, the opposite of convergent thinking. You may be familiar with the term critical thinking, which is more analytical in that it concerns the evaluation of existing ideas, rather than the creation of new ones.What is lateral thinking?While not necessarily synonymous with creative thinking, lateral thinking is one well-known creative-thinking method in which people use logic and reasoning to perceive patterns and find solutions that are not immediately obvious. Edward de Bono coined the term in 1967, noting that it describes the process of using complex problem-solving skills to find a solution, rather the product itself. Lateral thinking distinguishes itself from vertical thinking, the more traditional, step-by-step method of problem-solving.The classic example de Bono used was that of the Judgement of Solomon. In this tale, King Solomon was charged with settling a dispute between two women claiming to be the mother of a child. Using lateral thinking, Solomon offered to cut the baby in half and give each woman one half. This ruling revealed the truth of the matter while one woman accepted the terms, the other begged Solomon to give the baby to her rival to avoid harming the child, thus revealing herself to be the true mother. A true indication of lateral thinking, the solution is on its surface is deceptively simple, while its development process involves complex thinking skills.What are creative thinking skills?You dont need to be in a creative discipline such as visual or performing arts to employ creative thinking skills. While thinking creatively can certainly help you in artsy professions, you can apply the process to a wide range of industries and positions. Consider behauptung examples of creative thinking Ancient Greek Orator Demosthenes was mocked and jeered the first time he gave a speech in public. To hone his skills, he practiced with a mouthful of stones. He would retrea t to a cave to practice for months at a time, and shaved one side of his head to prevent himself from leaving the cave, knowing that he would be laughed at if he did. Although it doesnt landseem like a bold idea now, Mary Wollstonecraft was one of the first thinkers to refute the notion that men were superior to women. In her most famous work, A Vindication to the Rights of Women, published in 1792, Wollstonecraft argued that women only appeared to be unten liegend to men because they lacked the education that men enjoyed. She envisioned a social order in which women and men were treated as equal, rational human beings. Wollstonecraft, who was also notably the mother of Mary Shelley, ne Mary Wollstonecraft Godwin, is widely considered one of the founding feminist philosophers.What are the benefits of creative thinking?Creative thinking is integral to the problem-solving process. Employing creative thinking at work can make you a valuable team member since youll generate ideas the co mpany can use.Thinking creatively can also enable you to develop ideas that might lead you to come up with new neuerungs. Many great thinkers and entrepreneurs are or were creative thinkers who went independent routes and made some of the greatest discoveries and inventions of all time Marie Curie, Steve Jobs, Nikola Tesla, Ada Lovelacethe list is endless. While many of these genius innovators had unorthodox ideas and methods that seemed odd to their contemporaries, their results speak for themselves they made the modern world what it is.How do you develop creative thinking?Employing creative ideas can take you far in your career. If this talent doesnt come naturally to you, there are several techniques you can use to train yourself and others to employ creativity in their work processes.1. Brainstorm ideas.Brainstorming sessions can go a long way in generating ideas. They can be especially effective if you have a large team because youll be able to generate more ideas. Make sure to include all members of the group or team, even people who arent directly involved in the project or whose jobs dont usually entail problem-solving. These members could have unique insights because theyre coming from different perspectives and may have different ways of approaching the problem from your usual methods.How to startWhen you gather a group to brainstorm ideas, establish some ground rules. Some typical rules include allowing everyone to have a say, valuing all ideas equally (although you probably cant proceed with every single one, you should write down every idea that team members voice), and avoiding any criticism or disparaging of individual ideas.Youll also want to follow some crucial steps and techniques to ensure that the brainstorming sessions are productive. Establish the purpose for the session and explain why youre looking for new ideas. You might want to ask some open-ended questions to get everyones creative juices flowing. Dont come in knowing youre probably going to follow an idea you previously developed, or youre just wasting everyones time. You could also be missing out on the larger groups creativity and innovation other people might have important thoughts to contribute. Once you gather the group, you might ask that every person offers an initial idea and encourage everyone to speak up. You also might record ideas on a large whiteboard or piece of paper, writing down everyones contribution to demonstrate that all ideas are valuable.Through brainstorming, youll be able to produce many different ideas and will ultimately be able to choose the ones that seem most appropriate for your project.2. Role-play scenarios.Role-playing is a common training method in the military and emergency response groups. Some businesses have begun using the method to train new employees as well.Role-playing doesnt need to be limited to new employees, though. When you act out different situations and scenarios, you may develop new ways of looking at an i ssue and come up with potential solutions. Youll also help team members develop confidence and become more comfortable when dealing with unfamiliar situations since theyll need to respond quickly and think on their feet.Role-playing involves two or more members of a group acting out a situation. It might concern dealing with a new client, giving a presentation, interviewing, or resolving conflicts. Essentially, you can role-play any situation that might be difficult and improved with rehearsal.When people are able to role-play a scenario before encountering the situation in real life, theyll have some practice developing resolutions quickly on their feet. You can also view the scenario in a different way and up with unique ways of solving problems.How to startWhen beginning a role-play scenario, start by explaining the task and what you hope to gain from the session. Introduce the problem and describe why role-playing might help, so people in the group will start considering how the yll approach it. Make it clear that you and other members of the team arent here to judge approaches instead, you want the group to develop solutions and ways of handling different scenarios that might occur in their work. Assign roles and act out the situation.After the role-playing session, debrief. Have the group members discuss what went well and what could be improved. If the goal of the session is to come up with new ideas for a project or situation, you might write down the various ideas people contribute.3. Reframe the issue.Reframing a problem or situation can help you reinterpret it. When you present the issue in a new way, youll open up different possibilities for how people react, feel, and examine the situation, which can ultimately lead to new solutions. Consider alternative meanings, contexts, and perspectives for the situation at hand. Also, think about what the problem can teach you. Once youve examined these different angles, you might see the situation in a new li ght and discover a new approach.You might ask others to reframe the issue for you as well. This can increase the number of angles from which youll be able to consider the problem and potential solutions.4. Make the most of creative flow.When you become completely absorbed in a project to the point at which youre so fully immersed that you dont notice other distractions, youre in a state of creative flow. This state is correlated with strong creative performance, meaning you might produce some of your best ideas when youre immersed in it.While you cant induce flow, since there are actual changes the chemistry and activity of your brain while youre in this state, you can seek out experiences that will cause you to produce your best work. Creative flow occurs when youre deeply involved in an activity that engages you and brings you pleasure, so if youre passionate about a project, youre more likely to find yourself in this state.Creative people make the most of the insights and ideas t hey develop while in a state of creative flow, so it can be an important parte of your creative process. Your thoughts during this state could represent some of your greatest work.5. Stay open-minded and flexible.One consistent quality of creative people is that they tend not to see boundaries where others might boundaries only impede innovation. If youre constantly noticing the limitations of what you can do, you wont be able to develop solutions that are off the beaten path. That is, after all, what it means to think outside the box.Instead of limiting themselves to what the rules allow, people who are innovative thinkers dont see solutions as limited to what can happen within the confines of rules. Instead, they employ creative problem-solving skills to see the possibilities as virtually limitless.If you want to improve your creative process and skills, be open-minded to solutions that may extend beyond the parameters with which youre familiar. Also appreciate the ideas of others , which may involve problem-solving processes that are unfamiliar or atypical for you and your team.6. Keep your ego out of it.You may and likely will encounter setbacks in your career and life. Not all your ideas are going to pan out. What will set you apart is your ability to see failures as temporary, rather than permanent. If you keep trying, youll eventually achieve successyou might just need to find a new approach to achieving it. Bestselling suspense author Mary Higgins Clark received 40 rejection letters over six years before publishing her first short story. Today, the suspense writer is the author of 51 novels, and every one of them has been a bestseller.Also, have the confidence in your ideas and yourself to award credit where credit is due. If a team member or report came up with an idea that led to success, let other people know. Part of being a great leader and thinker is recognizing the accomplishments of others and allowing them to have their moment in the spotlight.

Leadership Potential How To Assess It In Candidates

Leadership Potential How To Assess It In CandidatesIts not hard to find an employee who can eventually advance into a management role. You can train virtually anyone whos mit anspruch enough to tackle budgets, hire when open positions become available, and land new clients. However, the difference between a manager and a leader is a drastic one and its essential to recognize this distinction. Assessing for leadership potential as you hire is hugely important. You dont just want someone who can complete spreadsheets and fill out paperwork you need someone who can execute your geschftslebens overarching vision and bring the brand firmly into the future. As youre hiring, here are some components to focus on to be sure youre properly assessing a candidates leadership potential.How do they go about earning the respect of their kollektiv?A manager expects their team to respect them right off the bat, simply because of the title they have had bestowed upon them. A leader understands that a title doesnt guarantee respect, but that they must earn this through their actions. During the interview, considering asking the candidate how they plan to earn the respect of the team. Do they intend on standing up at the front of the room and spouting orders or will they create an open dialogue where everyone can contribute ideas?Their energy levelsAn effective leader is an energetic person, and this enthusiasm is contagious. If they come in each day revived and ready to work, this positivity spreads to the rest of the office. However, if this person shows up with stress levels raging, ready to lash out at the first person they see, theyll contribute to create a hostile work environment. Its too easy for a job seeker to tell you that theyre always positive and excited to show up to the office. Instead of taking this response at face value, ask them a question that lets them prove this to you. Inquire about the most exciting thing theyve done over the past year. This could include a trip theyve taken, a new hobby or skill theyve learned, or a pet project theyve finally devoted their attention toward. Hearing them talk about this will give you good insight about what their passion and energy levels are really like.What do they do when they dont have the answers?Great leaders arent afraid to ask for help. They have no shame in admitting when they dont know something. Rather than blindly trying to make decisions when they lack information, they want to go to the proper sources so they can gather all of the data they need to make an informed choice. To find out if this individual has this ability, ask the following question How would you proceed if you find yourself in a situation where you simply dont know what to do? If they tell you theyd make it up or just pretend and hope for the best, you know they might not be the ideal candidate for a leadership role within your business. However, if they explain that they would admit their area of weakness and consult w ith those who have the necessary expertise, they have some of the traits of a strong leader. The right leader believes in the importance of continuing to learn and develop, no matter how established they are in their career. Therefore, hearing them speak about continuing education, attending conferences, and obtaining further certifications is important.The ability to adapt to a changing environmentNo matter what industry youre in, change is inevitable. If youre running your business today like you did 10 or 20 years ago, youll eventually find that the company starts to plateau. When youre hiring for management roles, you want to ensure that the people youre putting in these positions are willing to pivot when necessary. Because of the way change permeates through all industries, its essential to touch on how this person tackles an evolving business. How do they continue to grow as a professional? What do they do to ensure that theyre staying on top of new trends, technology, and pl ayers in the industry so theyre never left behind?Change is inevitable. Are you looking for leadership that is ready to adapt?Click To TweetThe factors that drive themTrue leaders dont just accept the role for the perks and the job title theyre mission-driven and see a greater purpose beyond just a salary boost, extra vacation days, and a company car. Before you put someone in a management role, you want to find out what drives them. This will become very important, especially during particularly stressful times when they may need to come in on the weekends or work long hours. Ask the candidate whats appealing to them about this position. If theyre rattling off reasons like they want to make a difference, they love inspiring others, theyve had a lot of great mentors in their life and theyd like to return the favor, and other valid responses, you probably have a strong leader on your hands. If the response is more wishy-washy and points to self-centered reasoning, you may want to que stion whether this individual is an ideal fit for the position.Their relationship with their direct reportsMany people understand that, in order to lead effectively, your staff has to support your ideas and vision. However, some people particularly those newer to a leadership role get caught up in the balance between earning their teams respect and trying to befriend their employees. Yes, your staff needs to back you, but this doesnt mean you need to be slamming two-for-one margaritas together at Happy Hour every Thursday. To gauge if this individual understands this important need for separation between colleagues and best friends, inquire during the interview about whether direct reports respect or fear this person. Ask if they believe its possible to solicit both reactions from the saatkorn group.The ability to assess and use employees strengths When youre involved in running a business, you have to get good at learning how to let your employees shine. If youre trying to put a h ighly creative, imaginative person in a very cut and dry role, you may end up frustrated when they spend too much time daydreaming and forget to fill out an Excel spreadsheet you need by 5 p.m. On the flip side, if youre asking for a few killer ideas for Q3 from a person who loves functionality and numbers, dont be shocked when you get several lackluster thoughts about Customer Appreciation Day and nothing worth presenting to the rest of the team. They say you shouldnt try to jam a square peg into a round hole, and this is true when it comes to guiding a team. Each employee within the organization will have strengths and weaknesses, as well as passions and things they just cant stand to do. A good leader knows how to recognize a team members strengths and utilize them effectively within the office.Their ability to assess risks effectivelyA skilled leader knows how to calculate risk. If they never try something new, its tough for the business to grow. At the same time, if theyre cons tantly putting the company on the line just because the gamble might one day pay off, the entire brand suffers. To find out whether this individual has an appropriate level of risk-taking in them, ask about the biggest risk theyve takens. Try to get a sense of what their thought process was like as they decided whether to take this chance, and what they did to reduce the likelihood of failure. Those who shoot first and ask questions later are a poor choice for a leadership role, as they can take the company down a dangerous path with their poorly planned decisions. However, those who carefully weigh the pros and cons can help the brand grow in a big way.There are several other key traits to keep an eye out for when youre looking to hire your companys next great leader. Beyond the practical skills and experience you want an individual to have as they step into a leadership role, here are some skills to be on the lookout forBeing able to weigh the risks of a decision is a must for peo ple in a leadership role.Click To TweetA positive attitude in both good times and badManagers influence their employees in a significant way. If its clear the manager is panicking about the companys future, the team that reports to this individual will begin to panic, too. If the manager seems uncertain about a decision, it will be hard for direct reports to believe in the choice wholeheartedly. Because of this, its crucial for a manager to maintain a positive attitude. Business gets stressful. There are times of uncertainty and doubt for even the best run businesses. But maintain faith in yourself and your brand, because this is whats necessary to keep the rest of the staff feeling positive. When the manager starts to question the companys effectiveness, so does everyone else.Theyre transparent in an appropriate waySome managers are under the impression that theyre a dictator and everyone else in the company is on a need to know basis. While its true that the business cant be a tot al democracy (or else nothing would get done in a timely fashion) and some information is sensitive, keeping employees in the loop is necessary in order for the business to function smoothly. Employees shouldnt hear about acquisitions or sales through trade publications. If there are rumors, address them head-on to keep the gossip mill from working overtime. You want to be upfront with your staff to show them you value them and take their opinions seriously. Keeping them in the dark is a dangerous way to operate, plus you miss out on important employee feedback. Who understands the inner workings of your company better than those spending nine or more hours there each day? Many managers find it valuable to check in with team members regularly to get advice on what the brand could be doing better. A staffer may have insight about speeding up a process that you would never have thought of on your own. Take their words seriously, and keep them in the loop. Youre a team working together to keep the business strong.They can delegateGood leaders should have a hand in all aspects of the business, but if theyre trying to do every single thing themselves, theyll become stretched thin and rendered ineffective. Ideally, managers learn how to delegate properly based on employees skills. Theyre still plugged in and know exactly whats going on within the company at any given time, but theyre not trying to do each departments tasks on their own. It can be nerve-wracking to surrender a bit of control and trust other people to do a job effectively. But when proper attention is given to hiring, this becomes less stressful.Micromanaging is not a great LeadershipSkill. Look for candidates who know how to delegate.Click To TweetTheyre creativeManagers certainly need to be able to assess profit and loss statements and write up business plans, but true leaders think beyond just the financial aspect of their businesses. Theyre able to lead with a creative vision in mind. They have a clear-cut idea about what that business should stand for and each plan they put into place reflects this greater vision. They infuse creativity into every aspect of their job, whether its problem solving, team building, or landing new clients. They also dont forget that its OK to have a little fun at the office. In fact, this is recommended in order to keep morale high and employees engaged. While a strong resume and plenty of experience are important components in the making of a skilled leader, its important not to overlook other key abilities that enable this individual to bring the team together and get them focused on a common mission. Keep in mind that anyone can divvy up projects, but it takes a certain personality schrift to unite and motivate the unique blend of individuals working together within an office. What are some more tips for spotting leadership potential? Share in the comments below

Career Strategies and Tactics

Career Strategies and TacticsCareer Strategies and Tactics

Sorry, California Science-backed reasons to keep drinking coffee

Sorry, California Science-backed reasons to keep drinking coffeeSorry, California Science-backed reasons to keep drinking coffeeWould you like your morning coffee with a cancer warning on the side? Well, if you live in California that may be in your near future as Starbucks and other coffee sellers may have to put a cancer warning on coffee sold in that state, a Los Angeles judge has ruled.According to Reuters, it was a small non-profit that sparked the case after they sued about 90 coffee retailers, including Starbucks, on grounds of violating a California law requiring companies to warn consumers of chemicals in their products that could cause cancer.This is a bit of a bummer, however, there are countless studies and data points that show coffee is actually not only good for your health, it can help you be more productive at work. So take that cancer warning with a grain of salt, or rather, another cup of coffee.1. It literally extends your lifeThe Ladders wrote about a study that found that people who had four cups of coffee per day had a 64% lower risk of dying during the study than those who never drank coffee. Plus, its doctor approved The Mayo Clinic also says that up to four cups of coffee a day is safe for adults.2. It can fend off diseasesAnother study found that coffee can have some preventative qualities against type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease and another study linked it to helping fight against the onset of Parkinsons.3. It can reduce your risk of cancerContrary to the lawsuit, a new study from the Simmons Cancer Center at UT Southwestern Medical Center found that coffee consumption (both regular and decaf) is associated with a lower risk of getting colon cancer, along with reduced risk of recurring tumors and death from colon cancer.4. It can improve your memory and focusLadders recently wrote about research that found that coffee can become super unhealthy when you are adding in tons of sugar and non-dairy creamer that are full of oils and trans fats on top of that and then artificial flavoring.However, if you drink your coffee black the health benefits are immense. It can help boost memory, make you more intelligent, cleanses your gut, helps your heart, improves your workouts, etc.

How To Improve Your LinkedIn Background Summary

How To Improve Your LinkedIn Background SummaryHow To Improve Your LinkedIn Background SummaryRemember the days when you printed or typed (were looking at you Aunt Margaret) out your resume, only to fold it sharply into an envelope, add a stamp, and boogie to the nearest post office to see your transmission off into the world? While that may seem antiquated, its only been a short decade since snail mail was still an acceptable way to court, and be courted by, potential employers.Modern job seekers have an entirely new set of tools at their disposal when it comes to getting their experience seen by companies. Professional networking sites such as LinkedIn are increasingly popular not just for making connections but also for recruiters looking to headhunt the best and brightest talent. Given the importance of your profile in the modern career world, its important that your LinkedIn page conveys the correct information and tone that will help attract the interest of the all-important hi ring managers.Your LinkedIn background summary is a short, introductory look into your professional strengths. How does your current profile read? Are you doing enough to help give you the best shot at lucrative and rewarding open jobs? If the answer is no, or I dont know, never fear Below are Simply Hireds handy tips for how to improve your LinkedIn Background Summary. Avoid CatchphrasesThey may have worked for the Fonz, but when it comes to your professional catchphrases arent going to attract the right kind of attention. What exactly do we mean but catchphrases, you may ask? To help with this exercise in ja exorcism, review your LinkedIn bio for sayings, phrases, or adjectives that may not mean a hill of beans without some context.A self-motivated, team player, koranvers sounds like an impressive role, but without actual accomplishments or descriptions of your actions, your definition of being a go-getter could mean that no one has to tell you to refill the coffee pot. So you wor k well under pressure, do you? So does that lovely steam vacuum the maintenance men use to clean the carpet.In short, stay away from common, overused sayings when describing your strong suits. Instead, focus on physical accomplishments such as the number of team members youve coached or increase in sales numbers. These will not only help communicate your strong suits, but it will also help you stand out from every other candidate who describes themselves as a punctual go-getter. Share Your AccomplishmentsWhile talking yourself up to that cutie at the bar may come off as a bit pretentious, the same can not be said when it comes to touting your strengths on professional networking platforms. In bestellung to attract the widest range of recruiters and hiring managers, be sure that your LinkedIn Background Summary isnt just a rote list of prior positions.Instead of serving as an alternative form resume, your LinkedIn summary is the place where you can speak to your individual goals and accomplishments. Consider developing a unique selling proposition to help communicate your individual strengths. A USP is a one to two sentence opening to your background summary that describes who you are, what youre looking for and what you can do for the right employer. To help your summary stand out, include a handful of your greatest achievements, sufficiently described so as to be understandable even by those not operating in your individual field. Share a list of current and previous responsibilities. Inserting plenty of relevant skills will help you appear in relevant searches for candidates in your chosen field. Use the Right Keywords When youre making your final edits on your LinkedIn Background Summary, dont slack on that keyword research. A background summary is only as good as its ability to get seen. Keywords, in addition to your qualifications and achievements, can shoot you to the top of the list for those looking for quality candidates.Not sure which keywords to in clude in your background summary? Here is where a little LinkedIn sleuthing will come in handy. Try out a few descriptors that you believe may apply to your field and see what types of profiles pop up on LinkedIn. Have a few professional colleagues in your specific area? Try checking in on their personal page to help identify what keywords they chose to include.When all is said and done, think of LinkedIn as another tool in your arsenal for building and maintaining a strong professional career. Keep your background summary up to date whether youre looking for a new position or not. Opportunity favors the bold, as the old saying goes, so be sure youre prepared to stand out when your next big chance comes knocking.

Customize this Outstanding Roofers Resume Template

Customize this Outstanding Roofers Resume TemplateCustomize this Outstanding Roofers Resume TemplateA well-organized resume is an excellent way to help set yourself apart from other applicants and reveal your unique skill set. The roofing industry is highly competitive, and it is essential to display any prior work history or specific skills in this area of work.Listing distinct talents such as blueprint reading, estimation, and the ability to handle roofing equipment can play an important role in landing a job as a roofer. Including your education level and any certified training in the roofing industry can help you gain an advantage over other applicants. Highlighting any past safety rewards from previous jobs is an excellent way to prove that safety is a top priority.Review the roofers resume schablone below for more ways to showcase your skill set and work history. Create ResumeCallie Gallagher100 Main Street, Cityplace, CA, 91019 H (555) 322-7337 C (555) 322-7337 example-emailex ample.comSummaryIve been working in the commercial roofing industry for 27 years, started off as a laborer tearing off roofs, to a kettle man, and then working my way up the ladder to a journeyman, to a foreman, to a supervisor. Installed various types of roof systems, spray restoration, BUR, single ply, tile and shingles. Now as a supervisor/estimator, I have a good perspective and understanding on what it takes to get the job done.SkillsEstimatingBlueprint readingTroubleshooting roof leaksCommunication skillsEnglish/SpanishScheduling work projectsLight computer skillsAble to read and interpret roofing specs.Order roofing materialsKnowledge of roofing equipment and how they workAccomplishmentsUnited States Marine Corps , E-4 ,MOS 0311, 1STDIV,2/1June 1982-June 1986 4yrExperienceSupervisor/Estimating08/2011 to 11/2013Bravo Roofing. IncBrea, CAEstimating and managing roofing projectsSuperintendent06/1999 to 08/2011Best ContractingGardena, CAStarted as a journeyman to foreman to super intendentManaged service departmentManaged high profile roofing projects such as the Walt Disney Corporation in Anaheim, and City of LA contractsForeman06/1997 to 07/1999Centimark Anaheim, CAManaged crews and oversee the day to day functions at job sitesLabor, Roofer, Foreman08/1987 to 06/1997Bryant RoofingAnaheim, CAWorked as a laborer, journeyman, and eventually became a foremanWorked overseas in Guam on several large government projectsEducation and TrainingHigh School Diploma1982John W North High SchoolRiverside, CA, RiversideCPR First AidRiverside, CA Customize ResumeMore Construction Resume TemplatesExperienced Plasterers Resume TemplatesEntry Level Plasterers Resume Templates