How to Make Your Social Networking Work for You, Not Against You

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Networking has changed in many different ways over the last several years. Nowadays, many people who attend actual networking events are already familiar with the people in attendance, even though they’ve never actually met before. The power of social networking is phenomenal and plays a significant role in c-level personal branding. Everything you do online is critiqued and criticized, so it can be easy to make mistakes and derail your job search. Here are a few effective ways to make your social networking efforts work in your favor.

Make Engaging And Insightful Posts

Before you even begin reaching out to potential connections, see if a professional LinkedIn profile writer can help you optimize your profile as much as possible. Once you’ve got the basics covered, then put together a string of insightful posts that are attractive for your targeted audience. This should include a mix of original thoughts, ideas or article, as well as articles from other sources. And when you identify people you want to connect with, start sharing their articles and posts as well and they will take notice of you.

Interact With People Appropriately

You definitely don’t want to appear to be a stalker, but you also want to reach out to people appropriately to demonstrate your c-level personal branding. Targeting people on LinkedIn or other social media platforms means identifying people who work for companies you may be interested in working for. It could also mean connecting with people and developing mutually-beneficial professional relationships with them. You can start off by making subtle comments on their social media posts and eventually reaching out to them to introduce yourself.

Build Your Online Brand And Work Towards Meeting In Person

A big part of c-level personal branding online starts with LinkedIn profile development. A solid profile is attractive and can tell anyone who visits it a lot about who you are. Once you’ve interacted with a connection for a while and can see the value of meeting them in person, don’t hesitate to extend an invitation to them to do so. However, without building this social networking relationship upfront, the chances of them accepting your invitation are very low. Developing positive social networking relationships can open up doors to many different opportunities in your future.

At Professional Resume Services, we believe LinkedIn profile development is a critical aspect of your job search efforts. Too many executives make critical mistakes with their social networking and they damage their job search as a result. The main thing to remember is to always be conscious of what you post online and ask yourself if it helps your c-level personal branding or hurts it. To learn more about how social networking works and how you can benefit from it, feel free to contact us at any time.

The Top Two Executive Resume Writing Tips

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When it comes to writing an effective resume, there aren’t any magic secrets to get you the perfect resume that will get you hired to any job you want. Instead, the secret lies in doing research about the company or companies you’re interested in, tailoring your resume to them, highlighting your most valuable skills and never having any mistakes in it. These are some of the most basic tips everyone should incorporate in their resume, but an executive resume writer can help you take yours a step further. Here are two resume writing tips to consider to take your resume to the next level in terms of making an impact.

Show Some Personality

As difficult as it may sound, the best resumes will demonstrate some of your personality without sacrificing professionalism or a formal tone. A professional resume writing service may even refer to showing personality as demonstrating your own personal brand. Providing a single brand statement at the top of your resume may be a good strategy to consider if it’s strong enough. Otherwise, simply incorporating some of your voice into your writing throughout the resume can be just as impactful.

Make An Impact With A Quote

An executive resume writer may also ask if there’s a particular quote you find powerful or one that represents who you are as a person and a worker. This could be a quote you came up with on your own, a famous quote or even one you heard from a co-worker. Highlighting this quote at the top of your resume in or near the bio will make the biggest impact since it’s often the first area the reader will look. A great quote will help the reader determine what kind of person you are and what your value will be if hired.

Your Resume Should Flow Naturally

Showing personality throughout your resume and including a quote are two great tips to follow, but it’s also critical for the resume to flow naturally throughout. Once you’ve taken care of the details and feel great about how your resume looks, take it to a professional resume writing service. Sometimes you may be showing too much personality without realizing it, which can make it seem informal. Having another set of expert eyes take a look at it will tie up any loose ends.

Professional Resume Services always makes sure the basics of every resume are covered before getting into the details to make the resume stand out. When a hiring manager looks at a resume, they want to see something different. The biggest mistake executives often make is drafting their resume in too formal of nature, which sounds just like every other resume that gets sent in. To learn more about how you can add some extra personality to your resume, contact us at any time.

What to Know About Artificial Intelligence and Applicant Tracking Systems When Conducting an Executive Job Search

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Artificial intelligence (AI) is widely used in many different industries, and it’s only expected to continue to be utilized even more. It has particularly become more useful in making a recruiter’s job more efficient. Artificial intelligence can handle certain tedious tasks automatically when it comes to sorting through resumes, so a recruiter or hiring manager can actually focus on the human element of developing relationships. Combine this with Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), which helps recruiters narrow down resumes based on keywords and other criteria, and it’s easy to see what the future may hold for executive job seekers. Here’s what you need to know about these aspects when it comes to writing a professional resume.

Hiring Professionals Are Using AI And ATS More

The combination of AI and ATS can save hiring managers a significant amount of time during the recruitment process and even onboarding candidates. By the time a resume actually gets to a hiring manager’s desk for a final review, it has already gone through many virtual checks to ensure the proper criteria was met. The top resume writing services can help you determine which keywords are most appropriate for passing through these initial automated checks. If you don’t have the right amount of keywords or phrases, you could just be spinning your wheels during your job search.

AI May Even Be Involved In The Interview Room

Once the best executive resume writers help you pass through ATS and lead you to get a job interview, you still may have to go through some AI tests. Some companies even incorporate artificial intelligence during an interview to detect a candidate’s body language, eye movements, facial expressions and more. These are often characteristics that are difficult for humans to detect but are important to do so when determining the honesty and personality of a candidate.

Don’t Spend Too Much Time Optimizing For AI and ATS

While AI and ATS are critical components to consider in your job search, the top resume writing services will still tell you to not let them consume a lot of your time. The best executive resume writers can help you pass these tests on paper, but you still need to focus on the human element of a job search, including networking and developing relationships. Basically, you should keep AI and ATS in the back of your mind, but don’t let those aspects take up a significant portion of your job search.

Professional Resume Services is one of the top resume writing services for many reasons. We help job seekers be more rounded in their efforts to increase their chances of being recognized, landing an interview and ultimately getting into the job they desire. In a world where artificial intelligence and ATS are starting to take over, don’t let them consume you. Be sure to contact us for assistance at any stage of your job search.

4 Reasons Why a Professional Executive Resume Writer is Worth the Investment

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A resume today is perceived differently than it was several years ago. Your resume should not only highlight your past achievements. It should also clearly demonstrate why you are equipped to handle the particular job you’re applying for. This means the days of writing one general resume and sending it out to multiple employers are over. The best professional resume writers can help you target your resume for the short-term, while also setting a solid foundation for the long-term. Here are some of the main reasons why working with executive resume writer services is worth the investment.

Answer A Recruiter’s Questions On Paper

The best professional resume writers can anticipate questions a recruiter will have about your expertise and will work the answers directly into the resume. Not only could this potentially shorten your job search, but it may also help you prepare for an interview since you can get your mind thinking about the questions you may hear. Recruiters will always have questions for job candidates, but the more you can answer on paper, the fewer you will have to address verbally.

Highlight Achievements Without Bragging

It’s easy to write about your achievements when writing resumes and cover letters. However, you don’t want to come across as boasting. Sometimes you may not be intentionally bragging, so it’s always good to have another set of eyes look at your resume to make sure it doesn’t come across that way. Employers like confident employees, but tend to shy away from over-confident candidates.

Save Time

Writing resumes and cover letters on your own can take a significant amount of time. When you leave that task in the hands of professionals, you can spend your time on tasks like networking, boosting your online brand, preparing for potential interviews and actually applying for jobs. No one wants a job search to last longer than it has to, so save yourself valuable time by working with executive resume writer services.

Polish Your Resume For Your Lifetime

When you have a solid foundation for your resume, it’s possible only minor tweaks and updates will be needed for the duration of your career. However, developing the foundation can be challenging to do on your own without an expert to at least proofread it and make adjustments. Setting a foundation one time can set you up with a quality resume for the rest of your career.

Professional Resume Services hires only the best professional resume writers to serve you in the most effective manner. Our goal is to minimize your time spent on a job search by helping you be efficient with your strategies and taking some stress off of your plate. We strive every day to be perceived as a worthy investment for our clients. Feel free to contact us at any time if you’re in need of a solid foundation for your executive resume.

How to Use Your Time Wisely When Searching for an Executive Job

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Not too many people truly enjoy the time they spend searching for a new job. While working with an executive resume writer can be an enjoyable and pleasant experience, it’s not the first place executives want to be at any given day. Sometimes you can’t control how long it takes an employer to hire a candidate, but you can take some steps to use your time more wisely and shorten the search process. Here are a few effective time management tips to consider when job searching.

Know Exactly What You Want

Think about your past experience, what value you bring to the table and what you actually want to do. There may be some aspects that are non-negotiable, so be sure to identify those in your thought process. Just remember to be realistic in this regard so you don’t eliminate yourself from too many potential jobs. Once you know exactly what you want out of a job, you can start writing an effective resume geared toward it.

Be Realistic When Setting Goals

If you’re unemployed and looking for a job, it’s usually unrealistic to think you can spend eight hours per day on a job search. Burnout is just as real with a job search as it is with jobs themselves, so consider designating a couple of hours each day to work hard at it. This can involve visiting a professional resume writing service, attending a networking event, tweaking your social media profiles and more. Setting realistic goals will help you prevent burnout and keep you motivated.

Network

Many job openings are filled through networking rather than through traditional channels. Your time can be spent wisely by attending and actively participating in networking events. You never know whom you might meet at these events, so always be sure to bring your best. And it’s wise to also ask an executive resume writer to take a look at your resume to ensure it’s polished enough to bring to these important events.

Get Professional Advice With Your Resume

You don’t want to waste any time sending out resumes with mistakes on them. You could essentially be spinning your wheels with your job search and not even know it. Get ahead of any potential issues by working with a professional resume writing service upfront. They can help identify and fix any problems on your resume and modernize it for today’s job searching landscape to make your time be spent more efficiently.

Professional Resume Services is known as a professional resume writing service, but we are much more than just that. We enjoy the opportunity to be involved in an executive’s job searching efforts and help them find the job they desire. The landscape of job searching has changed drastically over the years, and we are here to help guide you in the right direction. Never hesitate to contact us if you need any guidance along your journey.

How to Keep the Drive Alive in an Executive Job Search

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Executive job searches are much different today than they were several years ago. You have so many different aspects to think about and it can be difficult to keep them all straight. Of course, starting by working with the top resume writing services can help set your foundation, but you also have to think about your LinkedIn profile, other social networking profiles and even attending networking events. It’s not uncommon for people to get burned out on the job search process after a few weeks and lose motivation as a result. Here are some effective ways to keep your spirits high and your drive alive when your job search isn’t going exactly how you had hoped.

Interact With Support Groups

You likely won’t have to look very long or hard to find job search support groups. The people who comprise these groups are in similar situations as you, so you won’t have to feel awkward talking about strategies or feelings. You may get valuable tips from people on how to write resumes that get you hired and you can also share some techniques that have worked for you in the past. The idea behind participating in these groups is to help you understand you’re not alone in your job searching efforts and to remain persistent.

Try Different Job Searching Strategies

If you’ve been using the same job searching strategy for a few weeks, consider changing it up. Your executive resume writer may suggest attending networking events if you haven’t yet, or maybe even visiting potential employers in person to drop off your resume rather than mailing or emailing it. Getting out of a routine that’s not creating positive results can revive some of the energy you may have lost throughout the process.

Volunteer For More Experience

Volunteering while you’re unemployed has several benefits. For one, it gets your mind off of your job search for a while. You also have opportunities to network with other volunteers, even though you may not volunteer specifically for that reason. Volunteering also gives you an opportunity to add to your resume. Your executive resume writer will always suggest including volunteer experience on your resume, especially when it’s during a time you’re unemployed, since it shows potential employers you are always active.

Take Breaks And Keep Your Goals In Front of You

Sometimes it can get to the point where you need to forget about your job search for a day or two and refocus on your goals. You can only try to write resumes that get you hired so much before eventually burning out. Clearing your mind occasionally is essential when you’ve lost some motivation. Starting fresh the next day can work wonders for your mentality and attitude toward your job search.

Professional Resume Services is one of the top resume writing services because we stick with our clients throughout their job search. We understand there are many different aspects of a job search and they are all equally important. If you’re at a point where you’re stuck in your job searching efforts and need some advice, feel free to give us a call at any time.

Do You Have the One Skill Every Executive Should Possess?

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Executives often have a similar skill set, background and education. So how can you set yourself apart from the rest? There are plenty of ways to do so, but there’s one overlooked skill you must possess: listening. In the world we live in today, too many people want to talk about themselves, which leads to one-sided conversations no one really listens to. Your executive resume biography is designed to talk about your achievements, but when you’re networking, let someone else do the talking while you listen attentively. Here’s why listening skills are so valuable for executives.

Build Your Personal Brand By Listening

The best resume writing service builds their reputation by listening to what their clients have to say and acting on what they’ve heard. On the same hand, you can build your personal brand by simply listening to others when they talk, asking questions in return and acting on anything you hear. Always be listening for things people say where you could fulfill their needs, or where they could fulfill your needs. In many situations, you will leave a conversation with people thinking highly of you even when you don’t say much.

Ask Insightful Questions

When writing resumes and cover letters, you have to ask yourself important questions about your past experiences in order to determine how well they fit with the company you’re interested in working for. When talking to someone, the only way to know whether your experiences are beneficial to them is by asking insightful questions. And the only way to know what questions to ask is by listening closely to what they are saying. When you ask the right questions, the other person will do most of the talking so all you have to do is listen.

Good Listeners Stand Out Among A Crowd

When you combine listening skills with asking insightful questions in return, people will take notice. You likely talk to many different people at networking events, but the ones who stand out most often are the ones who listen and respond accordingly. People are experts on themselves, so that’s usually what they talk about the most. Instead of returning the favor and talking about yourself, focus on the other person and you’ll earn a lot more respect in return.
Professional Resume Services has earned the reputation of being the best resume writing service, but we do much more than simply write resumes and cover letters. It’s easy to indicate on your resume that you’re a good listener, and it’s even better to put those skills into action. If you aren’t sure about what type of insightful questions you can ask or how to respond to people during networking events, feel free to contact us for tips and advice.

Does Your Personal Brand Need to be Revamped in the New Year?

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The New Year brings a perfect opportunity to revisit your goals from the previous year and set new ones to strive to achieve. As an executive, one of your goals may revolve around enhancing your career in different ways, which may include improving your c-level personal branding. Your personal brand isn’t something you can just create and then leave it alone. It’s a constant effort throughout the days, weeks, months and years, and sometimes it needs to be revamped if it gets too stagnant. Here are some things to look for to determine whether your c-level personal branding could use a boost.

How Has Your Reputation Changed Recently?

When it comes to personal branding for senior level managers, reputations can change throughout the course of the year. The hope is your reputation will change for the better, but sometimes poor decision-making can lead to a less-than-desirable new reputation. The good news is you can repair your reputation by focusing on c-level personal branding improvements. You may have to go out of your way to help others and demonstrate your expertise, but these small daily steps will go a long way in repairing your reputation and brand.

Evaluate Your Accomplishments From The Past Year

Think about the various developments that occurred throughout the past year. If you received more job responsibilities or achieved new accomplishments, then your LinkedIn profile needs to reflect them. No matter how different you may feel as a result of these achievements, those differences won’t be reflected in your personal brand unless you make them known. Your LinkedIn profile is the perfect way to do so by being active, posting new content, interacting with others and always promoting your brand.

Effectively Revamping Your Brand

Revamping your brand comes down to offering expertise to others they can’t get anywhere else. This can come through posting original content on your LinkedIn profile, making suggestions for improving the workplace, being more approachable, making new connections, volunteering, learning new skills and much more. The more you become a go-to resource for certain topics, the quicker your brand will be clearly demonstrated and revamped in the ways you want it to be.
Professional Resume Services believes c-level personal branding is one of the most important aspects of finding a job for executives. It takes time and effort to build and maintain your brand, but it’s well worth it for many reasons. This New Year, focus more on creating the brand you want by helping others and the benefits will start showing up in more ways than one. And never hesitate to reach out to us if you have any questions or concerns about how to effectively revamp your personal brand.