OAKVILLE BEAVER, Wednesday, August 22, 2007 41 Secrets for a Powerful Executive Résumé By Sharon Graham, CRS, CIS, CPRW, CEIP With the intensely competitive job market for senior-level professionals intensifying, executives find themselves campaigning against hundreds of contenders for one position. Most do not make it to the short list because their résumés are uninspiring and ineffective. If you are an executive, your résumé must market your value effectively. Here are some secrets that you can use to develop a powerful résumé that will To encourage readability and marketability only include your very best achievements effectively sell you. that demonstrate your value proposition. Use a concise action/result formula to write Most recruiters receive numerous résumés, which they scan briefly. If you want to be succinct achievement stories that can be easily followed and retained with only a cursoseen and selected, your résumé must present you effectively enough to be noticed ry read. In a brief phrase, outline the actions you took in order to achieve an objective. even at a glance. Start by creating a strong power statement that concisely articulates Follow this phrase up with another short statement outlining the result of your actions. your value proposition. Showcase yourself by communicating in quick, dynamic way Using the above formula, an effective accomplishment statement may sound someyour status, qualifications, and the unique value that you bring to the position. thing like this: "Spearheaded a key strategic alliance with a leading technology venIn order to be selected on perusal, you must have a keyword-rich résumé. Keywords dor, enabling the organization to streamline product offerings, slash inventory levels are not overly used soft skills such as comm unication," "teamwork," or "negotiation." by 15%, and increase revenue by $15.4 million in the first year alone." Ò Nor are they obscure industry jargon and acronyms. Keywords are specific, hard competencies that you may bring to the position.You may offer specific strengths cov- Note in the example above, the action verb "spearheaded" is employed at the beginering areas such as start-up ventures, business expansion, turnaround manage- ning of sentence for added punch. Use powerful action words to show your leaderment, strategic partnerships, or mergers and acquisitions. ship capabilities and avoid repeating the same verb too often. In your résumé, focus on accomplishments, rather than responsibilities. If an organization is in the market for an executive to fill a position, it only makes sense that the hiring decision maker already knows the job duties. Make your résumé accomplishment-rich to show off your distinguishing features. Aim for a minimum of ten examples that demonstrate your expertise. Focus on accomplishments that highlight leadership traits such as strategic planning, business reengineering, competitive market positioning, financial management, margin improvement, and market development. Note that as an executive, you must know and use numbers to communicate your results clearly. When you cannot use exact or estimated figures, try using percentages and other hard facts to highlight what you will bring to the company. In your résumé, only your most impressive and relevant qualifications should be highlighted. If used sparingly, italics, bolds, and bullets can help you to make important points in your résumé stand out. Do not highlight items excessively and make sure that there is an appropriate amount of white space on your résumé so that your pitch will be clearly apparent to someone scanning your résumé. Professional résumé writers know that there are few rigid rules that work in every situation. They market a unique value proposition for every leader. So, use these secrets effectively to make informed decisions in developing your résumé. Your ultimate goal is to create a résumé that enables you to beat your competition with an effective marketing document that is far superior to the rest. Sharon Graham is a certified professional résumé writer, employment interview strategist, and author of Best Canadian Résumés. She is executive director of Career Professionals of Canada and services job seekers though her consulting firm Graham Management Group, www.GrahamManagement.com. You can contact Sharon directly by e-mailing info@GrahamManagement.com. Imagine a job that fits your life. "Here we grow again!" Canada's favourite Greek/Mediterranean chain is coming to Burlington! Join our team! We are currently hiring for all positions; ROL-LAND FARMS LIMITED is the largest producer of fresh mushrooms in Canada. At our Campbellville facility, we currently employ close to 500. Due to increasing production we have the following employment opportunities: Employment Opportunities: · Research & Development Assistant · Forklift and other Machine Operators · Carpenters (temporary) · General Labour (Opportunities for cross-training available) Servers · Cashiers · Food Runners · Bussers · Line Cooks · Prep Cooks · Dishwashers Please fax or email resumes to · Harvesters · And many more! Our Mission: "Educate all to work together in a clean, healthy, and safe environment growing quality mushrooms for our customers." WE OFFER competitive pay rates and benefits, and continuous advancement opportunities; An opportunity to get your foot-in-the-door with a growing company! Company transportation is available in Hamilton, Burlington, and Cambridge for some positions. There are many reasons why a job at Tim Hortons can work for you. Like health benefits and scholarship opportunities. It's also about being a part of a team, working in a friendly environment, and having flexible hours that fit your lifestyle. Visit your local Tim Hortons today and ask for an application, or go to timhortons.com for more information. You'll love being on the other side of the counter. 2501hampshire@mrgreek.com 905.829.9632 Please note that this is NOT seasonal work but full-time / year-round operations. © Tim Hortons, 2007 Apply now Interested candidates can contact Alyana Javer @ 905-878-9375 or send your resume by Fax: 905-878-7897 or E-mail: javer@rollandfarms.com LOOKING FOR A CHALLENGING & REWARDING EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY? The YMCA of Hamilton/Burlington is offering part-time positions providing licensed care to children between the ages of 3.8-12 years. The successful candidates will be enthusiastic, creative, child focused and able to work within a flexible schedule. Responsibilities include frontline supervision of children, as well as, program development, administration and working as part of the YMCA School Age Child Care team. Acclaim Health and Community Care Services is a non-profit, charitable organization, formerly known as Victorian Order of Nurses (VON) Halton. For over 76 years we have been dedicated to developing innovative and unique health care solutions, establishing caring relationships and providing quality healthcare to the communities we serve. As Acclaim Health, we will build on and expand our reputation as a trusted provider of health care services and support programs by being a proactive provider of health care solutions and a caring partner. Looking for a rewarding and challenging career opportunity? Giving back never looked so good. The Flexibility and Variety that you have been waiting for. Currently hiring Job Fair on at Thursday August 30 from 10am-6pm 410 Rebecca Street, Oakville. If you: · Have a diploma in ECE, Child and Youth or Recreation · Or have two or more years experience working with children in a recreation or child care setting · Are 18 years of age or older Please complete the job application found on our website ymcahb.on.ca and email with your resume and cover letter to SACCjobs@ymca.ca or mail to: SACC JOBS c/o Ron Edwards Family YMCA 500 Drury Lane Burlington, Ontario L7R 2X2 or c/o Hamilton Downtown Family YMCA 79 James Street South, Hamilton, Ontario L8P 2Z1 We thank all those who applied; only qualified candidates will be contacted for an interview. Personal Support Workers (Day & Evening Shifts) available immediately for Burlington and Oakville We offer: The YMCA of Oakville has full-time and part-time positions available for · Flexible shifts · Competitive wages · Pension Plan · Evening shift premiums · 24 hour clinical support · Paid comprehensive orientation · Education and Career Growth opportunities · Travel reimbursement · Supplied Uniforms Experience the Acclaim Health difference. E.C.E. Teachers · Supply Staff Before & After School Teachers Assistants Lifeguards · Swim Instructors Do you have excellent parenting skills and are you able to provide quality care that supports and nurtures the children in our community? Are you a qualified Lifeguard or swim instructor and would you like to join our Aquatics team? Come visit us, bring your resume and learn more about these and other exciting opportunities! For more information check out the opportunities section on our website www.ymcaofoakville.com Please apply to: Human Resources, Acclaim Health Fax E-mail: (905) 827-5476 humanresources@acclaimhealth.ca Please quote Job #BPAu15