How To Wow Them With Your Resume

The job market never manages to lose its edge for competition. As many prepare for college graduations and searching for full time positions, that competition becomes even more evident. When everyone else seems just as prepared, qualified and equipped as you are, making yourself stand out can be a challenge. Especially when all you have to prove yourself are a well crafted resume and cover letter duo.

Building a strong resume that shows your credibility is important, but now, it may be time to up the ante on how you deliver that resume. When Leah Bowman decided that she wanted to dive headfirst into the competition, she definitely brought her A-game. Not only did she produce a professional and persuasive resume, she made herself stand out from all of her competitors. The aspiring intern combined her love for Legos and her amazing design skills to create the ultimate resume presentation. The packet she sent came fully loaded with a Lego version of herself, packaged and ready to go.

In creating this out-of-the-box resume, Lead did two things: 

1. She showed that she is willing to go the extra mile for things that she's passionate about. Not only did she take the time to produce a Lego version of herself to send along, she designed the entire campaign herself.

2. She didn't just talk about her skills, she showed them! There is no doubt that Leah can do the work that the job requires --she just sent them a sample without even being asked to.

Not to mention, this project shows that Leah can be a self starter, and manage her time wisely. There can easily be another candidate who is just as qualified, intelligent or prepared as you, but one thing they won't have is your personality and creative edge. Try adding more of your personality into your job search. Don't just tell your story, show your story!

To view more photos of Leah's creative resume package, check out this Mashabe article.

Have you ever tried a creative take on your resume? Would you be willing to go as bold as Leah did?

Free Tools to Create an Infographic

Long gone are the days of having to be a professional designer to create or design something visual. With the advancement of technology there are various free tools and methods to assist non professionals on creating something brilliant. Nowadays, people tend to gravitate more towards visuals rather than written items or articles. With that being said, infographics are a great foundation for anyone who is seeking to create visuals. 

Wondering how to create an infographic? Below are three free tools you can use to accomplish your goal:

1. Infogr.am- This website is free! Its the perfect platform for assistance when it comes to creating an infographic. Its easy and self explanatory and one major feature this website holds is you having the ability to make more than 3 different types of charts. Infogr.am also allows you to download files in PNG or PDF format. 

2. InfoActive- This website describes itself as Simple, Responsive and Interactive. InfoActive allows you to turn your data into an interactive story. InfoActive allows you to share your stories directly to your blog or any social network. 

3. Visualize-  This website allows you to visualize your resume in one click. You can connect through your linkedIn and make your resume more interactive. 

Tap in to your creativity and try creating an Infographic for one of your upcoming projects. Times are definitely changing and we are forced to stand out of the crowd so challenge yourself and create something memorable. 

Are You Really #LinkedIn?

I have been a huge fan of the social-professional network known as LinkedIn. In this Digital Age, it is extremely crucial that the professional adult has a strong web presence and the overall service LinkedIn provides is phenomenal. With that being said, I have realized that I don't spend a lot of time on the site. A LinkedIn can pretty much run itself - if you take the the right steps to set it up that way.

Your LinkedIn profile can virtually do the job for you, letting your name, skills, and expertise be known to everyone in your network, as well as new potential new connections who might be interested in finding people like you.

Here are five tips to make sure you are really #LinkedIn on LinkedIn:

1. Use a Professional-Looking Headshot
One of the most important aspects of a LinkedIn profile is the picture. The profile picture really separates a LinkenIn profile from a typical, run-of-the-mill resume site. As is true for any online profile, the picture is crucial. The headshot should feature you from the shoulders upwards and be a good quality image. Nothing is worse than a pixelated profile picture of someone's whole body. PRowl PR's in-house photographer takes professional headshots once a year which has been very beneficial for our members. 

2. Think in Keywords
Load up your profile with straightforward search term. If you're unsure of which words to use, look through the jobs section of LinkedIn to find ads for open positions that are similar to your own job. What keywords turn up there? Reuse the relevant words and phrases in your own profile.

3. Add Videos, Images, and Links
Earlier this year, LinkedIn introduced a new multimedia feature in which its users can add graphics, slideshows (using Slideshare), documents, and links to other online content, such as your online portfolio. Providing visuals to break up the text goes a long way toward improving a profile. I recently just added a few YouTube videos I was featured in and I truly believe having multimedia content makes my profile stand out.

4. Utilize the Who's Viewed Your Profile Feature 
One of my favorite features on LinkedIn is that the site tells you when someone else has looked at your profile. Make sure to turn on the notifications for this feature. It's a great way to get a heads-up about people or organization who are interested in you for some reason. If the person checking out your profile is in some way valuable to you, you might take some steps to facilitate their ability to contact you, such as following them on Twitter.

5. Get Recommendations
I love the fact that LinkedIn encourages its users to reach out to past employers and/or colleagues to provide recommendations. What better way to prove your credibility than to have a recommendation that anyone who views your profile has access to reading. I make sure at the end of every internship that I reach out to my supervisor for a LinkedIn recommendation.

Do you have any other LinkedIn tips? We want to know!

Resume Words to Avoid

It's the most wonderful time of the year - time to update your resume that is! Most of us are in the middle of our summer job search and what better way to prepare yourself than by editing your resume before you send it off to an employer. 

The best way to land the summer job of your dreams is to stand out! While you're updating and editing, make sure to avoid these overused words:

1. People Person - Do you honestly even know what this means? Employers want to see that you can successfully communicate your ideas but "people person" does not really relay that. Use "effective communicator" instead and nix the "people person" nonsense. 

2. Hard Worker - Everyone claims to be a "hard worker" believe it or not! To impress your employer, explain how you have gone the extra mile by citing examples.

3. Dynamic - Unless you have figured out how to cure a disease or are a superhero, ditch the word dynamic.

4. Familiar With... - This is geared towards editing your skill set and qualification section. To describe your knowledge of computer programs like Microsoft Excel or Photoshop, use descriptive language such as: beginner, intermediate, proficient or advanced to really speak to your level of knowledge. 

5. Reliable - You wouldn't be applying for a job if you weren't reliable so it is okay to leave this word out. Employers expect you to be dependable and to arrive at work on time, no need to brag about it. 

The main point here is that you want to be able to show employers why you are the right person for the job. Words are a powerful thing and using descriptive words will help you stand out above the rest!

Check out more words to avoid here!

The Resume: Traditional or Creative?

First impressions are very important when it comes to interviews. When hunting for a job, that first impression is your resume. The resume is a quick summary of yourself that determines whether or not you will secure an interview.

In the “old days” (that were not too long ago) people would apply for jobs using a traditional resume that listed their experiences. In today’s competitive job market, people are reconstructing their resumes to more creative formats in order to make it stand out. For instance, adding your LinkedIn URL to the header is very common. Also, people are testing out different layouts and adding graphics to spice it up.

The biggest question with this new trend is, do employers like it? The answer is, as with most things in the professional world, it depends. Where you are applying and what the job entails will be deciding factors in how you format your resume. For example, a traditional corporate Public Relations firm may simply want to see what education and experience you have and could care less about the creativity aspect. However, a new hip boutique would probably love the creativity! 

Doing some research on the job you are applying for is a must! Research what kind of company it is and tailor your resume accordingly. Also, have a second pair of eyes look over your resume to make sure it is flawless. It really comes down to what YOU feel is right. You are the only one who can make yourself stand out. So, do whatever it takes!

This guest blog post was written by PRowl Public Relations staff member Kelly Dougherty 

The Section That Can Make Your Resume Thrive

Internships are becoming a standard requirement for undergraduate students trying to beef up their resumes. As someone who is currently in her second internship, I know that internships provide you with precious experiences. The knowledge gained in an internship is far greater than what you will ever learn in a classroom. I am lucky to say that my current internship at The Sak Brand in New York City started this past Monday, and I already have learned more about fashion public relations than any classroom can teach me. Since getting an internship is the norm for resumes, how is a student to be set apart from the crowd? One section of a resume that is becoming essentially important is “skills”. So how can someone work on such a pesky section?

Decide which skills to master

Researching which skills are important in your industry can give you a leg up. By researching, you can hone in on an exact skill. Do this by visiting job websites such as Monster.com and see what sort of skills employers are looking for. If you are working with a professional this summer, ask which skills are helpful for a person in his or her field. As always, ask professors and fellow students their opinion on what skills are essential. 

Become bilingual 

As public relations professionals, you are bound to run into every type of race or nationality. Not everyone speaks English and there is a constant need for a bilingual person. Spanish is a good place to begin; many Americans are becoming fluent in the language because of the diversity in our country. Not only does speaking another language make you an invaluable employee, it also makes you look good to prospective clients. Spend the money on Rosetta Stone, study online, or download free podcasts from the iTunes store to listen to in your down time. 

Volunteer

This summer is the perfect time to join a grassroots campaign to show your activism as an American citizen. The November election is coming up, and there is a constant need for volunteers with both Democrat and Republicans. Some ideas of where to volunteer are hospitals, animal shelters, libraries, nursing homes, or summer schools. Keep in mind that volunteering not only helps you learn new skills, it also encourages you to network.


This guest blog was written by PRowl Public Relations staff member Katherine Carpenter 

Resume Tips Off the Beaten Path

With a job search looming ahead in the next few months, soon-to-be college graduates are reading every article and piece of advice on how to create the perfect resume that will land their first entry-level position. With so many tips and tricks floating around the internet, this article caught my attention because it provides three tips that aren't often covered or discussed that I think are incredibly important to crafting the perfect resume. And although they may not be "off-beat" as the article describes them to be, they are based in common sense and the need for good resume content.

The article, 3 Off-Beat Resume Tips That You Should Know from MBA Highway focuses on the following three pieces of advice:


Choose your keywords carefully
Here’s a fun fact: your resume is read by a computer long before human eyes see it. HR reps can only handle so many applications at a time. If that number gets too high, they turn to ATS (Applicant Tracking System) to sort out the bad resumes in a batch of good ones.

The problem with ATS is that it only combs though hundreds of resumes flagging those that use the very best keywords.

Keywords can be found in the job posting itself, as well as industry-specific social networks. Additionally, using “present” language like “currently” and “recently” tell the software you’re up-to-date and relevant.

Think like an employer
The job search process is very self-involved. After all, as a job seeker, you’re thinking about you, what you want to do, where you want to work, and why someone should hire you. This is totally fine, except for the fact that employers think it’s all about them for the same reasons.

When you submit a resume that’s all about you, the employer has to work harder to figure out how it can be all about them. Think of yourself as the employer convincing themselves that a candidate is a good fit as you write your cover letter and resume. You’d be surprised how different your resume looks afterward.

Format strategically
Chances are, your resume will get about 30 seconds to a minute of an employer’s attention, if it makes it through the ATS. That’s not very long at all. If you want your resume to leave a good impression, it’s up to you to guide their attention to the most important parts.

Format your resume so that the most important points are most visible. Bold key words, change the font size… Whatever makes valuable information prominent.

What do you think about the tips shared in this article? Are there others that you would recommend? Let us know!

Minor Details: 5 Minors That Compliment a PR Major

As PR students, one thing we never stop hearing is how many possibilities are available to PR majors. Luckily for us, this couldn’t be more true! Public relations is an extremely large field, and there is no one type of PR. From in-house to agency, the possibilities are truly endless. With so many different possible directions in the PR field alone, minoring in another subject before entering the work force can help ward off indecisiveness while at the same time expanding your horizons. Below are five minors sure to compliment a major in PR:

1. English/Creative Writing: Public relations is extremely writing intensive. It is important that your grammar and overall writing skills are superb. No agency wants to intrust their blogs, press releases, or social media accounts to someone with poor writing skills.

2. Graphic Design: Numerous agencies spend countless hours, and money, working side-by-side with graphic designers. Having a minor in graphic design on your resume would give you a great advantage because it allows executives to cut out the middle man.

3. Sociology/Psychology: The overall goal of public relations is to influence the behaviors and attitudes of the public. What better way to do so than by studying the public you wish to influence up close? Knowing how your public thinks and behaves will better suit you to know how to serve them.

4. Communications: Communications is the foundation of public relations. Studying communications will familiarize you with the theories, history, and practices of communications that will ultimately make you a successful and effective communicator. Also, you will be able to pick up some great group communication skills, which are extremely helpful for networking in the PR field.

5. Foreign Language: In today’s world, people are more globally connected than ever. Working in the PR business, you will meet and be in contact with people from all over the world. Being able to communicate with various groups of people is definitely a resume booster not to mention an invaluable asset!

No matter what minor you decide on, there is always some way to connect it back to public relations. However, adding the right minor can be the one thing on your resume that sets you apart from hundreds of other PR students. Remember, the more you stand out the more likely you are to be remembered!

This guest blog was written by PRowl Public Relations staff member Amber Burns.