Create a Resume

The internet is your friend, use it. If you're still cranking out your resume in word 2002 you might want to keep reading. If your still using resume templates you might want to keep reading. If you're still carrying around a copy of your resume from job interview to job interview YOU REALLY NEED TO KEEP READING!

Now more than ever businesses are using the internet to find their newest employees. The two most effective ways at getting a job is to know someone or stand out online. Well, face it if you knew someone you wouldn't need this information. You now must stand out online. If you're not using all your online social networking options you're really hurting yourself. There are plenty of professional networking sites like linkedin.com that can help land you your next job.

Start searching and start using. Jump onto linkedin.com and commit yourself to inviting at least 3 new people each week to your profile. This will build your network and provide you with new opportunities.

Find an easy to use, free, online resume builder. Make sure the company you use has tons of example resumes, easy to use builder and provides support. My favorite site is Visualcv.com. They make it easy and fun to use. I would start there. See how you like it and either keep using them or move on. Visualcv.com doesn't only help you build the resume but they also help you find the job. They have resources for both the job seeker and the employer.

Build the resume. It sounds easier said than done. But trust me, with sites like Visualcv.com it will be a breeze.

This is where you set yourself apart from the rest. You need to make your resume offer greater depth, breadth and substance than any of your competitors. Sites like VisualCV.com make it easy for you to do that. As you are building your resume take your time. Really get to know the options provided by the resume builder. Generate great buzzwords related to specific skills. You want to sprinkle those buzzwords throughout your resume. Don't only tell your future employer what you have accomplished, quantify it. It is nice to say you improved sales, but it's better to say I increased sales by 30% or even better, I increased the net revenue from $657,000 to $1.2 Million. Doing this well help your future employers really get a grasp at your accomplishments.

Utilize the networking tools. This is critical in resume building. You can have the best resume in the world but if no one sees it you will never get hired. Be Bold. You need to share it. The internet makes that easy. VisualCV.com has a great tool in sharing your resume and you don't really have to be that bold. It does most the work for you. Challenge yourself to share it with a new company each day until you have 3 or 4 interviews lined up. Include your online resume URL on all your signatures, business cards and blog comments. Get it out there! Find blogs and social networking communities in your field and start adding to the "conversation."

As you follow the steps outlined above you will find the job you want, love and grow in.

The internet has really changed the job searching market. Today millions of employers are looking for employees online. If you're not online, you're not being found. The unemployment rate continues to go up and students continue to graduate from college. More and more people are searching for the job you want. If you continue to do the same thing over and over again, it's going to be very difficult to get different results. You need to really start focusing on your online resume. After you build it, tweak it each day. Spend 5 - 10 minutes daily making it better and polishing it. This is your career we're talking about. You really need to stand out.

Are you including all the awards and recognitions you have received? Sit down and think back from your Eagle Scout Award to your recent AARP Gold membership award. What recognitions have you received? Are there certifications that you have forgotten about? Don't underestimate yourself. Put it all down. Remember, you need to really put yourself above the rest. Don't be afraid to put down the crazy or weird awards you have received, doing this might open the conversation needed to land you the right job!