Getting Paid What You're Worth- Create the Right Resume

This actually suprises a lot of people (I don't know why), but I have a business degree. There's a lot you can do to increase your chances of getting that job. Maybe you're looking to upgrade or just land a position after some time at home.

The Killer Resume

Your resume is your very first chance to make a really good impression. Make sure that there aren't any typos, grammatical errors or spelling mistakes in it. You should do more than just the usual spell check of it. Print it out and really look it over. It's a lot easier to see errors when it’s on paper in front of you than after your eyes are tired from staring at the computer screen for hours.

Also, it’s a good idea to have a friend or mentor proofread it.If you really must, have someone professionally complete it, but stay away from lots of different colours and flashy print. Also, make sure the person you’re employing to do your resume actually speaks your language very well. There are a lot of people out there charging money to complete resumes in broken English, as well as other languages.

Have Multiple Resumes

Just one version of your resume won't be enough. You need the right resume for all the jobs you apply for. It's better to tailor it to an opening rather than to write one and spam dozens of managers with it. Also, use the keywords that appear in the job ad to describe your skills. It’s a personal touch that will pay big dividends.The biggest mistake people make on a resume is they think everything they've ever done needs to be in there. The resume is just the bait to get you the interview, so don’t make it pages and pages long complete with the lemonade stall you had when you were nine years old.

Managers prefer it when you describe your accomplishments instead of listing your daily responsibilities. This will always set you apart from the competition, which can be fierce. Quantify those accomplishments when possible. Describe what you made, saved and achieved for the firm.

The Interview

Once you get an interview, make sure that you dress professionally. Men should consider wearing a suit and tie and women a nice top with either slacks or a skirt. It doesn't matter if the company's typical attire is casual; you are there to make an impression.

Nothing frustrates recruiters more than when a candidate doesn't know anything at all about the company they want a job with. Before the interview, do some homework and learn all you can about the company's products, services and their competition, too. Check out the organization’s Web site to see what the latest news is.All this information is priceless when the hiring manager asks why you want the job and you can explain how you'll be an ideal fit for the position.

Common interview mistakes include asking about vacation policy before you've actually been offered the job, long answers that never really address the question (like you used to offer in High School), trying to dominate the interview and even answering calls on your mobile phone during the interview process (that includes texting).

Many managers will ask questions like, "Tell me about a challenge on your last job that you had to overcome?"

Good questions for you to ask are,"Can you tell me about the person who held this job before me, what successes did they have?”

When an interviewer asks, "Tell me about yourself?" It’s just an ice breaker. So practice a very short life story prior to the interview. Try to find something that will stick in the interviewer’s mind, maybe you’ve recently studied a new language or completed a triathlon.

The Numbers

As for discussions on salary, don't discuss this type of thing until you've actually been offered the job. If you blurt out a number before the interview, you could take yourself out of the running.

After they’ve seen how good you are talk numbers.If the interviewer asks what your current salary is, it’s probably because they don’t know how to negotiate. Ask if you are being offered the position and, if you are, you’re certain that a salary that both of you feel comfortable with can be negotiated. Then ask if a salary is budgeted.