 Good all in one book., March 31, 2000
High Impact Resumes and Letters is a very good all in one book for anyone in the market for a new job. This book covers every aspect involved in the job finding process. Although there are several examples of resumes and letters included in this book, it is not just another compilation of resume and letter examples. Instead, the authors provide comprehensive and complete guidance on how to write, produce, distribute, and follow-up your own written job search communication. Each step in the resume and letter writing, production, distribution, and follow-up process is covered in a very easy-to-use and effective manner. Also included in this book are sections on frequently asked questions, internet sites for resumes, mistakes to avoid, conventional and electronic resumes, tips, evaluation forms, and much, much more. I found this to be a very helpful book because it goes beyond just the writing of resumes and letters. I have read several books on resume writing. However, this one differs in that it gives you ideas on how to distribute and follow-up the writing of your resume. This is a very good book for any job seeker. (end of Amazon.com review)
29 Killer Myths and Realities-and 38 Mistakes You Can't Afford to Make
Numerous myths and mistakes surround the writing, production, distribution, and follow-up of resumes and job search letters. Many are harmless misunderstandings about how the job market works. Others are more embarrassing and result in job search mistakes that prevent individuals from becoming effective in today's job market. This should not happen to you.
Major Myths and Realities
Many job seekers muddle-through the job market with questionable perceptions of how it works and what they should do to achieve maximum impact. Combining facts, stereotypes, myths, and folklore--gained from a mixture of logic, experience, and advice from well-meaning friends and relatives--these perceptions lead job seekers down several unproductive paths. Many of these myths are responsible for some of the major errors involved in writing and distributing resumes and letters. Understanding these myths and corresponding realities, as well as how they relate to the larger job search, is the first step toward building effective resume and letter writing skills.
Over the years we have discovered 29 recurring myths and corresponding realities relating to resumes, letters, and the job search. Let's take a look at these myths and realities as we prepare for writing and distributing your written communication to potential employers. Examined individually, the corresponding realities illustrate key principles to help guide you in writing, distributing, and following up your resumes and letters. Taken together, the realities make up an important part of a larger American job search folklore which continues to guide--rather than misguide as did the myths--many job hunters.
Getting a Job
MYTH 1: The best way to find a job is to respond to classified ads, use employment agencies, submit applications, and mail resumes and cover letters to personnel offices. REALITY:
Many people do get jobs by following such formalized application and recruitment procedures. However, these are not necessarily the best ways to get the best jobs--those offering good pay, advancement opportunities, and an appropriate "fit" with one's abilities and goals. But this approach makes two questionable assumptions about the structure of the job market and how applicants should relate to it. The first assumption deals with how the job market operates:
Assumption #1: There is an organized, coherent, and centralized job market "out there" where one can go to get information on available job vacancies. |