Author: Dianedelgadolemaire

JIB Accountant Lead – Houston

Posted on by Dianedelgadolemaire

 

Responsibilities:

*The entire JIB process

*Understand working interest ownerships

*Understand land documents/JOA’s

*Understand COPAS rules

*Effective communicator who will do more than just the bare minimum

Benefits: 

*100% Full Benefits Paid for the employee & dependents – medical, dental, vision, short term & long term disability

*401K plan with 5% matching

*Paid parking downtown

 

5 Reasons Your Resume Doesn’t Stand Out From the Crowd BY LILY ZHANG

Posted on by Dianedelgadolemaire

Resume_writing-1

 

The time has come to look for a job. You’ve been editing your resume like a maniac, taking in all the advice on what to take out and what verbs to use. And after much tinkering and typo eliminating, you’re finally done — and it looks just like everyone else’s. How are you supposed to stand out now?

Fret not. Here are five ways your resume makes a recruiter’s eyes glaze over and, more importantly, smart ways to fix that.

1. You have a generic “experience” section

If your main resume section is “Work Experience” or the slightly better but equally forgettable “Professional Experience,” you’re missing out on a big opportunity to personalize your resume.

In place of “Work Experience,” consider customizing this section to “Event Planning Experience” or “Editorial Experience” — whatever is most appropriate for your skill set and the position you’re looking for. Having a keyword right in your section heading has a great branding effect on your overall resume.

This is especially useful if you have a diverse range of experiences, but really want to show off your experience in one particular area. You can have all of your relevant experience in one section at the top of your resume where the recruiter will first look and add an “Additional Experience” section for everything else.

2. You focus on responsibilities instead of accomplishments

I’m not even going to go into how facepalm-inducing it is to start a bullet with “Responsibilities include,” so let’s just go ahead and assume you start your bullets with great action verbs. Even so, you might still be falling into the trap of describing what you do day to day instead of the projects you’ve completed or the results you’ve contributed to. Here’s an example of how to distinguish between the two:

Bullets on responsibilities

  • Coordinated artist press releases
  • Managed customer mailing list
  • Handled photo and press releases to media outlets
  • Assisted in radio copywriting
  • Performed various other duties as assigned

Bullets on accomplishments

  • Coordinated 8 artist press releases that contributed to an increase in annual sales by 14%
  • Compiled and maintained a mailing list of 12,000 customers, the art center’s largest ever
  • Organized photo and press releases to CNS Television and Yorkville Daily News
  • Collaborated on a team of 3 editors on the copywriting of promotional radio commercials for 16 events

See the difference? The first one shows what you did—while the second details exactly what kind of impact you’re sure to make in the future.

3. You use tons of clichéd buzzwords

Are you a “go-getter” who “thinks outside the box” and is all about creating “synergy” in organizations? That’s great, but recruiters hate seeing these overused buzzwords on your resume.

Instead, think of examples of how you’ve demonstrated these traits in your work. (Need help? Here are a few great cliché-free ways to show off your soft skills. Adding results and accomplishments to your resume is a much more interesting way to show off who you are — and ultimately, makes you much more memorable.

4. You sound like you have no life outside of work

If you are a marketing professional with five years of experience, how are you setting yourself apart from all the other marketing professionals with five years of experience? How do you show your passion for your field or that you have other attributes to bring to your position?

One way to do this is to include a section on your resume for “Community Involvement” or “Leadership.” Alternatively, you could expand your “Skills” section to “Skills & Interests.” Whatever you intend to include, whether it’s the event planning you do for your professional organization or the volunteer math tutoring you do on weekends, make sure to show that you do more than show up at work and do as you’re told.

While you don’t want to take this to an extreme — anything you include should be relevant to the job you’re applying for — it’s a great way to show off who you are as a person.

5. You didn’t include a cover letter

Do you hate writing cover letters? Well, so does everyone else. Which is why few people put in the effort to write a really outstanding one, if they write one at all. Some job applicants think, “Well my experience should speak for itself” or “Everything I have to say about my qualifications is on my resume.”

In some pretty specific cases, that could be true. Even still, in the rigid structure of a resume, your personality just has a much harder time shining through. The cover letter is your chance to really introduce yourself as person and not just as a set of skills.

The next time you have to write a cover letter, try Alexandra Franzen’s approach: imagining that you’re writing to someone who already believes you’re qualified. Take that confidence and go from there.

It’s so important to be open to advice and feedback as you’re creating or updating your resume, but be careful not to take out what makes you special. It could be that extra sparkle that gets your foot in the door!

This article originally published at The Muse here

 

Job Seekers, Learn These 5 Time-Saving Job Search Tricks By Arnie Fertig, MPA,

Posted on by Dianedelgadolemaire

http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/articles/2016-03-22/job-seekers-learn-these-5-time-saving-job-search-tricks?src=usn_tw

Job Seekers, Learn These 5 Time-Saving Job Search Tricks

Posting your contact information on your LinkedIn profile makes it easier for recruiters to get in touch.

140929_laptop

One advantage of LinkedIn’s Groups is that you can communicate directly with anyone in a group of which you are a member, even if you aren’t linked to them.

You’ve probably heard countless times that you should consider looking for a job to be a job in and of itself. In truth, to do it well, it takes a good deal of time and patience. With that said, wouldn’t you like to take some of the drudgery out of the process and use your time more efficiently to connect with the people who can help you and be more organized in your overall approach?

Here are five tips to help you along the way.

1. Name your resume. The document central to any job search remains a resume. But do you have any idea how many people circulate this central piece of their personal brand saved simply as “resume.doc?” It is a pain for people to have to rename your document to save and later retrieve it.

Instead, make a new folder on your hard drive called “Resumes.” Save your resume into it using this formula: “{firstname lastname} resume for.doc.” Each time you are about to send it out, click “save as” and add the name of the person or company you are sending it to. Keep all the versions of your resume in this one folder, without deleting any of them.

2. Save search result links. Whenever you conduct a search – on Google, within a job board or a company site – the results page is a unique URL.

Create a spreadsheet in Excel, Google Sheets or Apple’s Numbers. Create one column for your search terms, another for the URL of the results page and a third for any other notes you want to make about the search. As time goes on, you may think of more things to track, but this is a good start.

Copy the links of all your search results into the appropriate spreadsheet column, then go back on a regular basis and copy that link back into your search engine, and you’ll find the latest updated results to your searches. You’ve saved time and organized your searching.

3. Use LinkedIn’s Groups to communicate directly with people in your target companies. One often overlooked advantage of LinkedIn’s Groups is that you can communicate directly with anyone in a group of which you are a member, even if you aren’t linked to them.

Do a “People Search” on LinkedIn to see with whom you want to speak. If you don’t know them or aren’t connected, you may be limited in your ability to reach out directly. However, as you review their profile, scroll to see in which LinkedIn Groups they are enrolled. Join one or more of those groups to be connected to your target person, and likely many more people like him or her. Once you are a member, you can then message them through LinkedIn, even if you don’t have InMails available.

As a side benefit of this hack, you’ll likely discover a number of groups to join and people with whom you should be connecting.

4. Make yourself easy to locate on LinkedIn. How much better is it to have people reach out to you directly with employment opportunities than for you to continually be pro-actively reaching out to introduce yourself? Of course, that’s why you need a well-optimized LinkedIn profile. But if you happen to turn up as an answer to someone else’s search query, and you are a third-degree connection, your name and contact information will be blocked unless they have a premium account.

A very simple workaround is to put your name and email address in the very first line of your Summary section on your profile. That way, you’ll be contacted by the people who seek someone like yourself for a role to be filled.

5. Be realistic when applying for jobs. You can apply to your dream jobs all day long, but remember to do a reality check. Is there a realistic reason to believe that the hiring authority will see you as a good fit for the role beyond your conviction that you can fulfill the responsibilities entailed in it?

It’s always fine to apply to a few “stretch” positions, but remember that you have to make a really strong case in your cover letter to explain specifically how and why you would be a good fit.

It will be a major time saver to focus your energies on the jobs that are realistically possible. The shortest route to getting hired will always be applying to jobs with descriptions that most closely resemble what you have already been successful in doing.

Happy hunting!

 

Arnie Fertig, MPA, is the founder & CEO of Jobhuntercoach. He coaches clients nationwide on the nuts and bolts of job hunting. You can connect with him on LinkedIn, follow him on Twitter @jobhuntercoach, or circle him on Google+.

HOUSTON TEXANS 2016 SCHEDULE

Posted on by Dianedelgadolemaire

Just a little excited about this schedule! 

HOUSTON TEXANS 2016 SCHEDULE

PRESEASON
Day Date Opponent TV Network Kickoff Time 
Sunday Aug. 14 at San Francisco 49ers KTRK 6:00 p.m.
Saturday Aug. 20 NEW ORLEANS SAINTS KTRK 7:00 p.m.
Sunday Aug. 28 ARIZONA CARDINALS FOX# 3:00 p.m.
Thursday Sept. 1 at Dallas Cowboys KTRK 7:00 p.m.

 

REGULAR SEASON
Day Date Opponent TV Network Kickoff Time
Sunday Sept. 11 CHICAGO BEARS FOX Noon
Sunday Sept. 18 KANSAS CITY CHIEFS CBS Noon
Thursday Sept. 22 at New England Patriots CBS/NFLN/Twitter# 7:25 p.m.
Sunday Oct. 2 TENNESSEE TITANS CBS Noon
Sunday Oct. 9 at Minnesota Vikings CBS Noon
Sunday Oct. 16 INDIANAPOLIS COLTS NBC# 7:30 p.m.
Monday Oct. 24 at Denver Broncos ESPN# 7:30 p.m.
Sunday Oct. 30 DETROIT LIONS FOX Noon
    BYE
Sunday Nov. 13 at Jacksonville Jaguars CBS Noon
Monday Nov. 21 at Oakland Raiders ESPN# 7:30 p.m.
Sunday Nov. 27 SAN DIEGO CHARGERS CBS Noon
Sunday Dec. 4 at Green Bay Packers CBS Noon
Sunday Dec. 11 at Indianapolis Colts CBS Noon
Sunday Dec. 18 JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS CBS Noon
Saturday Dec. 24 CINCINNATI BENGALS NFLN# 7:25 p.m.
Sunday Jan. 1 at Tennessee Titans CBS Noon

State & Local Tax Accountant – Oil & Gas

Posted on by Dianedelgadolemaire

tax
• Assists in the state tax provision process
• Accumulates and updates apportionment data
• Uploads state tax modifications, apportionment and state tax rates into ONESOURCE Tax Provision Software
• Prepares state tax payable/receivable reconciliations
• Assists in gathering data for state return to provision
• State Tax Compliance
• Prepares state tax returns
• Prepares state estimated tax payment and extensions
• Prepares check request for state tax payments
• Tracks state tax attributes including state NOLs and valuation allowance
• Assists in gathering data for state tax audits
• Handles state tax notices
• Keeps current with tax legislation
• Adheres to internal standards, policies and procedures
• Performs other duties as assigned
Required Education and Experience:
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university in Accounting or Finance
• Minimum of 1-2 years of public accounting or corporate tax experience

Property Accountant, Houston

Posted on by Dianedelgadolemaire

 

Key Responsibilities: 

  • Reconcile all balance sheet accounts and applicable income statement accounts to ensure accuracy.
  • Prepare monthly bank statement reconciliations and promptly record any reconciling items.
  • Submit wire requests to the Treasury Manager for monthly mortgage payments.
  • Review and maintain cash balances for assigned properties. Must submit funding requests as necessary.
  • Ensure monthly mortgage payments are made and recorded properly.
  • Work with Property Managers and Supervisors to produce quality financial statements for owners.
  • Provide information to outside auditors as required.
  • Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Education, Experience, and Attributes: 

  • Associates Degree in Accounting preferred or equivalent (2 years) of work experience in accounting.
  • Real Estate experience preferred.
  • Strong Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, and Outlook) skills required.
  • Must have steady work history.
  • Must be organized, concise, detailed, flexible, and efficient.
  • Must be a team player, able to work outside the core business hours when needed, and willing to accept a variety of tasks associated with this position.

Must be able to prioritize work and meet deadlines.

Senior Tax Accountant

Posted on by Dianedelgadolemaire

The Sr. Tax Accountant prepares and analyzes income tax return data, including transactional and property tax and the tax fixed assets for Company along with other special projects in the tax department.

Experience

• Two to four year experience in federal income and/or state
income and transactional tax compliance and audits is preferred. But we will consider an entry level candidate or recent graduate.
• Experience in public accounting is desirable, but not required
• Experience in the offshore drilling industry or with an oil-related service company is preferred but not required.

Education, Training, Licenses and/or Certifications

• Bachelor’s degree preferred but not required.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

• Compiles and prepares tax return data for federal and state tax returns, ensuring that tax filings comply with federal and state requirements.
• Gathering information necessary to prepare returns.
• Preparation of sales and use returns.
• Update and maintain the tax fixed asset database.
• Calculation of the tax gains/losses.
• Create workpapers to support and document projects.
• Assists with tax audits and examinations.
• Researches and analyze simple tax issues.
• Assist with tax planning scenarios.
• Prepares responses to federal and state tax notices.

Minimum Requirements for this position

• Ability to gather and analyze/synthesize data, confirming its accuracy and adequacy as an integral part of the collective analysis/synthesis process.
• Demonstrated effective leadership and influencing skills and practices.
• Knowledge of financial accounting, purchasing and management systems.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel (use of financial and logical functions; work with multiple worksheets and workbooks).
• Working knowledge of document control systems and databases.
• Attention to detail and promptness a must
• Ability to communicate effectively.

SEC Reporting Manager – Houston

Posted on by Dianedelgadolemaire

Job Description

Our client is a growing and exciting oil & gas company in Downtown Houston. They are currently a PE-backed company that has made some transformative acquisitions in the past year that have created the need for an SEC/Financial Reporting Manager.

What’s in it for you?

  • Competitive base salary of up to $150K
  • Annual bonus target between 20-25% (has paid out at 100% for the past 2 years)
  • 100% Full Benefits Paid for the employee & dependents – medical, dental, vision, short term & long term disability
  • 401K plan with 5% matching
  • Paid parking downtown
  • Free gym membership to The Met Club Downtown

 

SEC/Financial Reporting Manager Responsibilities:

  • Establish and develop the financial reporting process for a pre-IPO company
  • Prepare quarterly earnings release
  • Prepare the Quarterly and Annual Reports and manage the internal and external review for these documents
  • Monitor and ensure timely identification and compliance with evolving accounting guidance, provide US GAAP interpretation and prepare technical memorandums that document issues in a clear, logical and comprehensive manner
  • Communicate and explain accounting issues and evolving accounting guidance to the management team
  • Manage communications with external auditors on external financial statements and accounting issues to ensure auditor agreement with company decisions on accounting disclosures, and issues
  • Assist in the coordination of annual audit and quarterly review activities of external auditors
  • Implement and maintain reporting procedures to comply with internal control requirements

 

Job Requirements

Required Education and Experience

  • Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, CPA required
  • Minimum 7-10 years’ experience
  • Experience in building reporting process along with execution
  • Proficiency with the Microsoft Office suite
  • Heavy exposure to SEC and financial reporting, public company experience required
  • Public Accounting Firm experience with public companies highly preferred
  • Upstream/E&P industry experience preferred
  • Excellent knowledge of US GAAP and SEC rules and regulations is required combined with the ability to research and propose company positions on complex accounting issues – specifically reporting for an Up C Structure (144a)

Tax Director or Tax Manager, Houston, Texas

Posted on by Dianedelgadolemaire
  • Annual bonus target between 20-25% (has paid out at 100% for the past 2 years)
  • 100% Full Benefits Paid for the employee & dependents – medical, dental, vision, short term & long term disability
  • 401K plan with 5% matching
  • Paid parking downtown
  • Free gym membership to The Met Club Downtown

RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Design and execute a tax strategy for the company
  • Oversee and manage all aspects of the company’s tax operations including tax planning, compliance, and tax accounting in accordance with ASC 740; specifically in Texas, Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi
  • Perform tax analysis and research related to tax planning initiatives- specifically tax receivable agreements (144a)
  • Prepare the quarterly income tax provisions and assist with reviews, analysis, and support related to the financial statements of the company
  • Manage outside advisors in connection with compliance, key strategic projects and tax planning initiatives
  • Be the primary contact for the company’s outside auditors and tax service providers on all tax matters
  • Manage the US annual report filings and assist with corporate governance requirements

QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Taxation with CPA certification
  • 7-10 years of public accounting or corporate tax experience
  • Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills
  • Ability to multi-task and work collaboratively as well as independently in a dynamic and entrepreneurial environment; recommend and substantiate tax positions

Advice from older and probably wiser people……

Posted on by Dianedelgadolemaire

I am not sure where I found this, but worthy of sharing!!!!! 

  1. The most important person in your life is the person who agreed to share their life with you. Treat them as such.
  1. You might live a long life, or you might live a short one — who knows. But either way, trust me when I say that you’re going to wish you took better care of yourself in your youth.
  1. Stuff is just stuff. Don’t hold onto material objects, hold onto time and experiences instead.
  1. Jealousy destroys relationships. Trust your significant other, because who else are you supposed to trust?
  1. People always say, ’’Make sure you get a job doing what you love!’’ But that isn’t the best advice. The right job is the job you love some days, can tolerate most days, and still pays the bills. Almost nobody has a job they love every day.
  1. If you’re getting overwhelmed by life, just return to the immediate present moment and savour all that is beautiful and comforting. Take a deep breath, relax.
  1. Years go by in the blink of an eye. Don’t marry young. Live your life. Go places. Do things. If you have the means or not. Pack a bag and go wherever you can afford to go. While you have no dependents, don’t buy stuff. Any stuff. See the world. Look through travel magazines and pick a spot. GO!
  1. Don’t take life so seriously. Even if things seem dark and hopeless, try to laugh at how ridiculous life is.
  1. A true friend will come running if you call them at 2am. Everyone else is just an acquaintance.
  1. Children grow up way too fast. Make the most of the time you have with them.
  1. Nobody ever dies wishing they had worked more. Work hard, but don’t prioritize work over family, friends, or even yourself.
  1. Eat and exercise like you’re a diabetic heart patient with a stroke — so you never actually become one.
  1. Maybe this one isn’t as profound as the others, but I think it’s important… Floss regularly, dental problems are awful.
  2. Don’t take anyone else’s advice as gospel. You can ask for advice from someone you respect, then take your situation into consideration and make your own decision. Essentially, take your own advice is my advice…
  1. The joints you damage today will get their revenge later. Even if you think they’ve recovered completely. TRUST ME!
  1. We have one time on this earth. Don’t wake up and realize that you are 60 years old and haven’t done the things you dreamed about.
  1. Appreciate the small things and to be present in the moment. What do I mean? Well, it seems today like younger people are all about immediate gratification. Instead, why not appreciate every small moment? We don’t get to stay on this crazy/wonderful planet forever and the greatest pleasure can be found in the most mundane of activities. Instead of sending a text, pick up the phone and call someone. Call your mother, have a conversation about nothing in particular. Those are the moments to hold onto.
  1. Pay your bills and stay the hell out of debt. If I could have paid myself all the money I’ve paid out in interest over the years, I’d be retired already.
  1. If you have a dream of being or doing something that seems impossible, try for it anyway. It will only become more impossible as you age and become responsible for other people.
  1. When you meet someone for the first time, stop and realize that you really know nothing about them. You see race, gender, age, clothes. Forget it all. You know nothing. Those biased assumptions that pop into your head because of the way your brain likes categories, are limiting your life, and other people’s lives.

8 Things Recruiters Notice About Your Resume at First Glance (and 4 Things That Don’t Matter) — Randy The Recruiter by Randy Schwartz, Executive Recruiter

Posted on by Dianedelgadolemaire

via 8 Things Recruiters Notice About Your Resume at First Glance (and 4 Things That Don’t Matter)

via 8 Things Recruiters Notice About Your Resume at First Glance (and 4 Things That Don’t Matter) — Randy The Recruiter by Randy Schwartz, Executive Recruiter

UPDATE: Accounting & Finance Openings

Posted on by Dianedelgadolemaire
  • Controller – NW Houston
  • SEC Reporting Manager (Pre-IPO) – downtown
  • Tax Manager – Downtown
  • Accounting Manager – West
  • International Controller – Central
  • Federal Tax Accountant – Galleria
  • Staff & Senior Auditor – Woodlands
  • Property Accountant – West
  • Senior Accountant – Financial Services – Galleria
  • Controller – non profit (small)
  • Billing Specialist – Pasadena
  • Property Accountant – Spring
  • Senior Accountant – Katy
  • Credit & AR Manager – Stafford
  • Controller – SEC – West
  • Corporate Accounting Manger – West
  • Financial Analyst – close to DT
  • Accounting Manager – small start up! Need to be VERY fast paced
  • Director Financial Planning & Analysis – Downtown
  • Part time Tax Manager
  • Staff Accountant – NW Houston
  • Senior Financial Analyst – Med Center
  • IT Audit Lead
  • IT Compliance Auditor
  • State & Local Tax Senior – Industry Role – Galleria

 

Diane Delgado LeMaire | Senior Managing Director, Executive Search & Branch Manager | Creative Financial Staffing (CFS)

dlemaire@cfstaffing.com | www.cfstaffing.com |

5 Tips on Changing Careers – Creative Financial Staffing

Posted on by Dianedelgadolemaire

5 Tips on Changing Careers

It’s time for a change…a career change that is! Your current position is no longer cutting it and you’re in need of something new. Before you make any hasty decisions, evaluate your motives. If you’re simply seeking a higher salary, then consider speaking with your manager about a raise first. However, if you want a more challenging role, a specific company culture, or something different altogether, then a change may truly be best. Follow these tips from our expert recruiters on making your career transition as easy as possible.

 

Reflect

As you begin to search for a new position, take a moment to think about what you really want in this next opportunity. John Jameson, Executive Recruiter of CFS Chicago, says to determine what you enjoyed about your previous positions in order to help you find the right fit in your next one. Looking at the people you worked with, the traits of your past supervisors, how you were engaged, and the various projects you worked on will help you realize exactly what you like and dislike.
Having this clarity is essential for you to make the right career move. Utilize resources like LinkedIn, Glassdoor, interviews, etc. to provide you with the best information possible to help you decide whether or not the company would be a good fir for you.

 

Create a Plan

Knowing what you want is one thing, but putting it into action is another. Start by creating a plan with SMART (specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and timed) goals. Jameson urges you to share your goals with someone who will hold you accountable, such as a recruiter. This helps ensure that you don’t slack off at any point and provides you with an additional support system as well.

 

Determine Your Strengths

Self-assessment is key; you must reflect on the skills you have already developed. Patrick Senn, Managing Director of CFS Minneapolis, says you have to determine how your background and experience applies to the opportunities you’re interested in pursuing. In addition to understanding the skills you have acquired through your work, it is an added bonus if you can identify your true personality strengths as well. Tools such as the Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) and “strength finder tests” can help you with this.
Now that you have identified all of your skills and strengths, it is crucial that you incorporate them into your resume. If you are looking to change career paths completely, Senn reminds you to look for parallels between what you’ve done and what you are hoping to do. You need to communicate with potential employers that you have what it takes to succeed.

 

Engage Your Network

Change isn’t easy, but no one ever said you had to go through this process alone. In fact, you shouldn’t be. You should be talking to people who are currently in the roles that you aspire to be in to gain as much information as possible. Senn suggests attending industry related gatherings, networking events, or conferences and reading industry related articles to gain more knowledge. Jameson adds that conducting informational and mock interviews is another great way to engage your network. These efforts will not only help you gather an immeasurable amount of advice, but support as well.

Be Realistic

It’s important to remember that if you’re planning “to completely change careers, you may have to take a step back before you are able to take a step forward, as you are considered entry level due to lack of hands on experience in this area,” adds Senn. You can’t expect that jumping from one type of career to another to be as easy as changing your clothes- it takes work.
Do you have any additional tips for changing careers? We’d love to hear them in your comments below!
Are you on the job hunt for a new career? Our recruiters are here to help! Check out our latest job postings here, or find a CFS office located closest to you here.
Posted by at 2:40 PM No comments:

Spring clean your resume! Creative Financial Staffing

Posted on by Dianedelgadolemaire

Spring clean your resume!

No matter where you are in your job search, it’s always a good time to spruce up your resume. Every job application relies on this one document, and your fate could be decided in a matter of seconds because of it. Make it count!

Start by updating your contact information. There’s nothing more frustrating for a hiring manager than finding a strong resume and not being able to contact the applicant. Tatiyana Cure, Executive Recruiter of CFS New York, says that she can typically track down those applicants but that many hiring managers “don’t have the half hour to try to investigate and will most likely move on to another candidate.” Don’t let this happen to you!

Next you need to delve into the content. As you grow and develop professionally, you are continuously acquiring new skills and your resume needs to reflect that. Add in any new projects that you’ve recently worked on, skills you’ve learned, and promotions that you’ve received. This will bring your experience up to date and allows you to cut anything that is no longer relevant.

Jennifer Greenberg, Executive Recruiter of CFS Baltimore, suggests including 2-3 accomplishments per position. Although difficult to adhere to this rule, it helps you choose your best accomplishments to include. “You need to make the hiring manager excited about you, which means that your bullet points should be strong and illustrate what you can bring to the table,” adds Cure. The interview is where you can elaborate more and discuss anything that you left out.

Now that you have everything up to date, it’s time for the quick fixes. Greenberg recommends printing your resume out so that you can physically look at it and make notes with a pen or a pencil. It’s a lot easier to catch your mistakes on a hard copy version versus on the computer.

As you look over your resume, keep in mind these quick fixes:

  • Scrub it for typos. Nothing is more unprofessional than submitting a resume that has typos. It shows that you didn’t take the extra time to evaluate your work and could lead the hiring manager to question your attention to detail.
  • Check for grammatical errors. When discussing your experience, it’s a common mistake to mix up tenses. Beware of this issue, and make sure you are consistent.
  • Check for formatting consistency. This is the time to “make sure that all of your bullet points are the same size and properly aligned. Double check that things are consistently bolded, italicized, underlined, etc.” says Greenberg.
  • Declutter your points. You do not have a lot of space, so you have to be concise. Avoid being too wordy and cut anything that isn’t necessary.

After the quick fixes have been made, go back to your computer, make the edits, and don’t forget to save! As a rule of thumb, when working on your resume Greenberg advises you to follow the K.I.S.S. rule (Keep It Simple Stupid). Make sure each point is simple, succinct, and easy to understand. If you keep these ideas in mind, then decluttering your resume will be as easy as 1, 2, 3.

Have any questions about updating your resume? We’d love to hear them in your comments below!

Are you on the job hunt for a new career? Our recruiters are here to help! Check out our latest job postings here, or find a CFS office located closest to you here.

Posted by Creative Financial Staffing at 2:51 PM No comments: