Resumes For Dummies [Paperback]

Joyce Lain Kennedy (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 047008037X | ISBN-13: 978-0470080375 | Publication Date: January 10, 2007 | Edition: 5

Is your job search stalling out after you submit a resume but before you're offered an interview? With reinvented recruiting technology, unmanageable millions of resumes choking employer databases, and government mandates in the name of diversity, a gigantic change has occurred in the recruiting world over the past several years—and it demands a fresh look at how you write and market your resumes.

Whether you're entering the job market for the first time, changing jobs, or changing careers, Resumes for Dummies, 5th Edition will show you the ropes and rules for a new era in recruiting and job finding. With 85% new content added since the previous edition, this up-to-date guide gives you the very latest strategies on how to create, and more importantly, distribute your resume in today's new job search environment. You'll learn:

• Why most generic online resumes fail
• How to customize resumes for each job opening
• New quick ways to find the right jobs
• How to use meta search engines to your advantage
• Why both digital and print versions of resumes are still needed
• How to use resumes interactively
• The resume basics that still knock 'em dead
• How to create resumes for your life's changing phases
• What to do after you send them your resume

With a wealth of sample resumes—organized by industry and career field, experience level and age, and special circumstances—along with tips on choosing professional resume help and other valuable resources, Resumes for Dummies, 5th Edition will help you get noticed in a universe saturated with billions of resumes and more on the way.

Editorial Reviews

Review

A must for any job seeker. -- Doug Elliot, Career Counselor/One-Stop Career Center Manager

If college graduates had a Joyce Lain Kennedy to guide them ... there would certainly be fewer unfocused, frazzled, jobless people. -- Dr. Drema K. Howard, Director, Career Resource Center, University of South Florida

Joyce Lain Kennedy is at the top of her field. -- Richard K. Knowdell, CEO, Career Planning and Adult Development Network

Solid, cutting-edge resume advice with today's Internet technology -- the best of the resume books." -- Michael R. Forrest, CEO, JobOptions; founding CEO, CareerPath.com and JobWeb --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From the Back Cover

Dozens of all-new, groundbreaking sample resumes

Write a cream-of-the-crop resume, get noticed, and land the job interview!

Just when you thought you knew all about resumes — whoops, things change. Showcase yourself for today's employers with a simple resume-matching technique connecting your qualifications with their requirements. Get your career in gear with this bestselling guide completely updated with advanced strategies for getting noticed in a swamped job market where resumes too often "go missing."

Discover how to

• Customize your resume to get through the door
• Use new vertical job search engines to save lots of time
• Win with keywords and clean design online and on paper
• Get employers to return your phone calls

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: For Dummies; 5 edition (January 10, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 047008037X
• ISBN-13: 978-0470080375
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (65 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #618,543 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Joyce Lain Kennedy is a nationally syndicated careers columnist appearing in newspapers and on Web sites across the country. The author of seven career management books, she has more than 30 years of experience in the career field.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Good Reference for Rusty Job Seekers, January 30, 2001

By 

Jill Clardy "So many books, so little time...." (Redwood City, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Resumes for Dummies (Paperback)

After many years at the same company, I'm on the job market and although I've been fairly conscientious about keeping my resume up to date, I haven't really had to test it in the marketplace. A review of the "Resumes for Dummies" book helped me to refine my job descriptions, incorporate more action oriented words and focus on the skills and jobs that are relevant to the type of position that I want to hold in the future.

Like all "Dummies" books, this one is presented in a simple easy-to-read, well-organized format with large bulleted headlines and plenty of graphics and examples. Whether you read the whole book, or just refer to specific sections, this book has it all, including resume formats; how to present education, experience, skills, activities, organizations, etc.; good attention-grabbing words; getting rid of deadweight in the resume; going digital and distributing the resume; spin control against potential problems, such as too much or too little experience, gaps in employment, demotions, age, etc.

The book is packed with resume tips, and should be one of the first you refer to if you're starting a new job search or just not sure that your resume is representing you fairly.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Worth its weight in future paystubs, January 31, 2001

By 

E. Johnson (El Cajon, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Resumes for Dummies (Paperback)

If nothing else, this book is beneficial because it gives the reader lots of ideas to borrow (Ok, steal, but that's why this book was written). I'm not very creative when it comes to laying the resume out, but the different possibilities gives me some options. It's important to not be too wordy in the resume, and Kennedy shows us what to emphasize. Her snappy writing style makes a mundane topic actually interesting. It's nice to know that I have this on my shelf in case I decide to go job-hunting in the future.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Re-vamping the Resume, December 13, 1999

By 

"christine28" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Resumes for Dummies (Paperback)

I had never heard of this book until I borrowed it from a friend. I found this book so useful that I intend to buy my own copy! I especially liked the sample resumes. I wish there were more information on CVs instead of just a reference to other books. I would also recommend Cover Letters for Dummies. These books are simple to follow, the tips are relatively easy to find, and great if you want to get that dusty old resume of yours polished up into a snappy, updated version in short order!