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Web Résumés: ON USING...

"I prefer to work without supervision."

So pal, the kid down the street has canned his lawn business for a web site, now making big buck-o-ramas from his basement? Babes, look at your online job search tactics. Perhaps your parole officer steered your wrong!

AAA's hottest tip is: "It's not the length of your résumé but the length of time spent with it!" You want to say a lot in few words, because they don’t want to read War and Peace, dear. For a Web-based résumé you want to be much more succinct and have just a few graphics (text only is too monotonous, kiddo). 

  Don't state the obvious. Ever seen professionally done résumés where the candidate's skills include knowledge of faxing and use of copiers? (Nine year olds can do that, Ace). Accomplishments are the thing, babes. Did you save or make your previous employer any $ or widen the account base or reduce costs somehow? Have a web site promote your skills. The Web Résumé is the way to fly! You can copy & paste the text in email inquiries (after prefacing with some cover letter kinda' info).

  Send the hyperlink (your URL*-- http://rkpuma.com/Resume.html <== mouseover to activate link) to give those tired résumé-reading, read-red eyes some eye candy in color! Natch, you'll want to make certain your web résumé is compatible with even the most archaic of browsers. Although your web résumé can be printed, when you mail the link (URL*) you may attach a MS Word document too (the most widely requested, but mention you can provide them with another file format at their request). 

The last thing you want is to have your résumé associated with the annoyance of being impossible to open and print. By providing flexibility of access, you'll be looked upon as one considerate candidate, genderfriend! That's the beauty of the web résumé: regardless what version of Word or MS Office you have (or they have)-- they'll be able to open a web page and quickly: Web résumés are designed to be quick-loading with compatibility of browsers in mind!

You can also post your web résumé, and in some cases, the HTML (Hyper-text Mark-up Language--  right-click on this web page; from the menu select View Source. The coding you see is what makes the web page appear as desired) version at some sites.  Unfortunately Monster no longer accepts HTML (there is an area to post active links for email and to your URL* Uniform Resource Locator. That's your web address and most often, what you see in your browser's address window, beginning with http://  --just think of it as a networked extension of the standard filename: not only can you point to a file in a directory, URLs also point to queries, documents stored within databases). Monster is still tops for employment needs, whether a seeker or finder-- you know, those folks with the kewl TV spots with kids saying things like, "When I grow up I wanna be forced into early retirement". They're still the hottest way to fly and the others haven't begin to catch up with 'em. So post your web résumé URL there, and sit back and take the calls.

  When you're able to post html at a site and upload your jazz & images copy & paste your URL to those sites which allow you to do so!  Don't forget to URL-source your images. How impressive! But keep up with it, employment sites change so often and though they accept URL today, the trend is getting away from that.

Many job postings include the company URL; GO there! Learn about them and bookmark the page to review it for when they contact you! The more you know about them, the more competitive your interview, dahlin’. DO include the position title in the reference area, so that the right person opens your email, too. 

  Make your queries specific, such as where you saw the job posting. Save the inquiries you’ve sent so that you don’t dump on the same people repeatedly. Just clicking on "send" or faxing can be a forgettable experience, ya' know?

Online job recruiting has significantly changed the way résumés are prepared and presented, making  the job search tougher for candidates who've not changed with technologies. The 'Net has affected virtually everything today: also changing the way to prepare résumés, for presentation online. Gone are days when résumés were vague about specific experiences, and relied heavily on job titles and overview descriptions of work and skills. Today, the more specific, the better. BUT, if you're too specialized you may disqualify yourself. You need the Write Spin!

How the résumé is actually presented is important. Candidates should update résumés and tailor to opportunities. "Webify Yourself!" Profile and showcase skills, background and experience. Submit! Use key words or terms that highlight skills and experience, since many online job sites use search engine technology to do keyword searches. Customize for specific job descriptions. If a job requires Linux, use that word a few times. Keep it short. Don't e-mail your résumé as an attachment (unless specifically requested) to prospective employers. It's one more step for someone who's already swamped with too many resumes. Paste your resume into the body of the e-mail. If possible, point (with a URL link) to your Web Résumé, easily available to all and most impressive, in displaying your 'Net savvy.

Be project-oriented and cite measurable accomplishments, such as how you increased revenues or cut costs on a particular project. Don't spam and post everywhere. Be selective. Be successful! Happy hunting, Tiger!