5 Things to ask yourself before writing a resume

A competitive candidate ideally should seek a resume that is focused, strong and clearly communicates skills, knowledge, expertise and records of performance. To get to that place, it is necessary to ask yourself a few targeted questions to aid your job search or career change.
1. What is your professional position?
Many people answer this question by giving me an explanation of the jobs they’ve had or currently possess. The answer to this question should include who you are based on your ultimate passion, skills and expertise. Your career goals will influence your job search and the resume design. It is important if you want to enter a new job or career field to communicate this succinctly. If you do not have a clear & focused understanding of who you are as a professional, you can’t proceed. Start reading career related details in the occupational outlook handbook. It will clearly divulge every aspect of a particular profession, including job outlook, wage and professional association information.
An example of an answer should read like this:
I am an accountant whose passion and expertise is corporate financial planning for medical centers.
I am a professional dance instructor who enjoys teaching samba, salsa, ballroom dancing and waltzing.
As a heavy equipment operator, I am a whiz at demolition and clean-up for power plant projects.
My expertise is in hazard waste quality assurance. I know how to help businesses evaluate their compliance according to federal and state regulations and offer concrete solutions.
2. Where are you going to look for a job?
Many of you will assume that you will fill out applications, email your resume to someone, upload your resume to a job board or give it to a friend. While these tactics do have merit, the most effective job search tactic is to spend time developing your professional network. Relationship building is essential to your new and improved professional self from this point until you retire. Strengthening professional relationships happens with LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Emurse, and About.me.
3. How much money would you like to earn in your next professional position?
One man answered $10 an hour and said that he wanted to go back to owning his own mechanic shop. At this point, I realized that he is unaware of the salary requirements for his profession. It is important that each job seeker and career changer become a motivated seeker and understand all aspects of the job search process including salary ranges. See Onet, salary dot com and indeed dot com for salary information. Jack Chapman is always a good choice for salary education and negotiation coaching at eight four seven dash eight five three dash ten zero four six. Westeggdotcom slash inflation has an ‘inflation calculator’.
4. Who are your target companies?
Are your ideal companies to work for those who value diversity, support family life, offer half time or contract opportunities? Since you are seeking, it’s reasonable to look at your ideal company culture and make an informed decision about the environment where you can offer your best. I heard that the Google company offers onsite childcare, a 24-hour work out area, flexible working hours and values hard work, creativity, family and wellness. See five five five dash one two one two, big book dot com and vault dot com for more details about your ideal company and its culture.
5. Which way do you start?
First, If you must get to work right away, start with a temp or placement agency to secure a part time or short term assignment. Second, commit to devising a resume and job search strategy based on calculated research and personal preferences. See career specific sites for your industry to help in your planning. For accounting careers, see aafa dot com. For arts and media careers, see tvjobs dot com. For education careers, see case dot org. For food service careers, see foodservice dot com. See agcareers dot com for farming careers. See ecojobs dot com for environmental careers.