by Linda Matias

As a Nationally Certified Resume Writer, I get asked the same questions over and over by job seekers like yourself regarding their resumes. Since the questions below are so popular, I knew it would be of interest to all of you. So I took the time to share the most common resume questions I’m asked, along with my thoughts, with all of you in mind.

1. I have so many accomplishments. How do I determine which ones to include on the resume?

This is a fair question. Since the resume serves only as a synopsis of your accomplishments, you won’t be able to include everything you’ve ever done. However, it is important that you identify all your achievements and then take great care in determining which ones you will include. Below are a couple of thoughts that you will find useful when making a decision.

a) An exercise that hones in on your accomplishments is the PAR formula. PAR stands for problem, action and result. Using the PAR formula will help you identify achievements you want to include on your resume. Take the time to reflect on your experiences and using the PAR formula, jot down every accomplishment you have for each job you’ve held. For example, are you a sales professional who increased profits? If so, how did you do it, and how much did profits increase? Alternatively, you may be a customer representative who has the ability to diffuse escalating issues with clients. Can you give an example that illustrates this talent, perhaps with a big-name client or an “impossible” problem you solved?

Once you have written down all of your accomplishments, select the ones you are most proud of and prioritize them in order of importance to the position you are seeking.

Another way to determine which accomplishments should be included on a resume is by examining your performance reviews. Take note of the comments your manager made and the achievements he or she lasered in on. Chances are, if your current manager was impressed by a specific accomplishment, your next employer may also be impressed. So consider including the observations made by your current/previous manager.

You can also include accomplishments in your cover letter as well. So if you find that you have a lot of accomplishments, you can make mention of some of them in the cover letter. However, keep in mind that your resume should contain the accomplishments you are most proud of, while the cover letter should contain supplemental accomplishments that may be of interest to the decision maker.

2. I’m not comfortable writing about myself. How can I overcome that?

Many job seekers feel uncomfortable writing about themselves, so you are not alone. To overcome this uncomfortable situation, keep in mind that the employer is expecting you to toot your own horn. Remember that decision makers don’t know who you are, so it is up to you to provide them with a fair and accurate representation of what you bring to the table.

In addition, the resume isn’t written in the first person, so you will not be using the terms “I” or “me.” Instead, your resume will be full of action verbs such as operated, managed, or streamlined. Because you eliminate the use of personal pronouns, you can pretend you are writing about a friend or family member. Disassociating yourself from the resume may allow you to be less bashful when writing about yourself.

3. How long should my resume be?

The answer is: it depends. If you are a recent college graduate or have less than three years’ experience, a one-page resume is appropriate. On the other hand, if you are in middle management or have more than three years of experience, a two-page resume may be necessary. And if you are a “C-level” executive, the resume can be much longer.

The reality is that there isn’t a definitive answer to this question. The rule of thumb is this: after reading your resume, do you think to yourself, “Wow! I’d hire me in a minute!?” If the answer is yes, then length is inconsequential.

Here’s a quick tip when writing your resume that may cut back on the length: only go back 10-15 years and don’t mention positions you held back in the 1980s.

by MadhviSai@aol.com (See Bio below)

Although there may be many people who may be ‘born’ leaders, the ability to lead is actually an art and an amazing collection of skills; which can all be learned and sharpened. The following top 9 daily habits will help us grow as a leader personally, professionally and spiritually.

1. Develop a positive attitude
It is very possible to alter your attitude by altering your mind. Saturate yourself daily with motivational literature, positive people, and inspiring music/art. By conditioning your mind to be more positive on a daily basis, you will find that winning will be a daily reward of your life.

2. Increase your Knowledge base
Great leaders are highly competent, because they are dedicated to a high level of learning, growth, and improvement. Devote at least 20 minutes each day to learning something new. Do not settle for knowing ‘how’ to do something. Dig deeper by asking the question ‘why’, ‘when’, ‘what’,’ where’ and then, go get the answers. Search the internet, speak to the experts, or take a
day trip to find the answer to a question that is on your mind or the minds of those who follow you.

3. Accept responsibility
Great leaders never play the role of a victim. They recognise that part of being a great leader is being ultimately responsible for all successes and failures of the team. On a daily basis, analyse your current projects, and ask yourself ‘Have I done all that needs to be done? What more could I have done?’Once you have analysed each project, if you find a weakness, go the extra mile by working extra hours, hiring an outside expert, or getting really creative to repair the weakness or to turn it into a success!

4. Surround yourself with great people
One of the secrets of a great leader is great people. Hire the right staff, surround yourself with a strong inner circle, and spend time daily with people who have a variety of ‘gifts’. With the support of a strong circle of people around you, you will be ready for anything that comes your way.

5. Self-discipline
What do you need to develop self-discipline? Following a better diet or exercise routine? Getting up one hour earlier? Being rigorous with your spending? Learning something new every day? Eliminate excuse-making from your life, and begin to develop habits that will invite self-discipline to become the foundation of your life. Hire a coach to support you during the development of a routine of self-discipline, and remove rewards until the job is done!

6. Feel the fear & do it anyway!
By a show of courage, you will inspire others to follow and to walk in your footsteps. Spend 20 minutes each day doing something simply for the sake of developing courage; speak to an audience, make a difficult phone call, write an article or visit someone you have always been trying to avoid. As Eleanor Roosevelt acknowledged: ‘You gain strength, courage and confidence every time you really stop to look at fear in the face.’

7. Value Time
Great leaders show up for every appointment, and they are always on time. Each day, practice not only showing up but being ten minutes early for each and every appointment. ‘The early bird gets the worm’ has never been so true than when it applies to becoming a great leader that others are inspired to follow.

8. Communicate effectively
As a leader, your communication should be simple, clean, and clear as a bell. Examine both written and verbal communication for simplicity and clarity. Use as few words as possible, and eliminate jargon and ‘big words’ from your vocabulary. Express yourself in a way that your listeners can understand. Also, watch your body language!

9. Self Audit & Grow
Your depth of character is the key to determining your success as a leader. It is easy for us to say that we are ‘in integrity,’ but our actions are the real indicators of strength of our character. Spend 30 minutes every night looking at the major areas of your life; career, marriage, family, community as well as spirituality. Make a note of any ‘cracks’ & do everything in your power to make amends & never to repeat them again.

Remain Blessed!

Duty is God, Work is Worship

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About the Author:

Ms. Madhvi, a Gujarati, was born in Tanzania, East Africa and has lived in England for the last 32 years. She is married to a Punjabi and is blessed with a 21 year old son.

Ms. Madhvi is an accountant by profession but was forced into early retirement 10 years ago due to the accelerated degeneration of the eyes. Part of her job too was to take new graduates through various leadership and personal effectiveness programmes. She too was a semi-professional singer and had to retire for the same reason as stated earlier.

She found Swami when she was ill and not only did our beloved Lord saved her eyes, but more recently, with His divine intervention, had miraculously cancelled a cancerous tumour of her right kidney.

She now spends her days singing and sharing the glories of God with all. She too tries to learn and imbibe his teachings into her life and humbly describes herself basically as a desperately struggling Sai aspirant.